Cyclooxygenase-2 Immunoexpression in Invasive Breast Carcinoma: A Possible Prognostic Factor

Abstract

Background and objectives:cyclooxygenase-2 is well known to be overexpressed in breast cancer and it plays nega- tive effects on tumor growth and progression. The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of Cyclooxygen- ase-2 immunoexpression in invasive breast carcinoma and to evaluate its relationship with some clinicopathological parameters. Methods: During the period January 2015 to July 2016, 100 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens of invasive breast carcinoma were collected from pathology departments of Rizgary teaching hospital and private labs in Erbil city. Using labeled polymer and enhanced polymer system (DakoEnVisionTMFlex) Dakoprotocol, Cyclooxygenase-2 expression was assessed immunohistochemically. Results:The Cyclooxygenase-2 immunoexpres- sion was detected in 48% of invasive breast carcinoma. A statistically significant association was found between Cyclooxygenase-2 immunoexpression and lymphovascular invasion. Also a rising trend of Cyclooxygenase-2 immu- noexpression was observed with increasing age, tumor size and tumor stage but didn’t reach a statistically significant level. No any statistical significant association was found between Cyclooxygenase-2 immunoexpression and tumor grade. Conclusions:cyclooxygenase-2 overexpression is observed in 48% of cases of invasive breast carcinoma and was significantly correlated to lymphovascular invasion.

Keywords

• Cylooxygenase-2
• Immunohistochemistry
• Invasive breast carcinoma