Article Text
Abstract
Background and aim: The production of prostaglandins is regulated by cyclo-oxygenases (COXs), which also have a role in tumour development and progression in various malignancies, including breast cancer. The mechanisms by which COX-2 contributes to unfavourable prognosis are still poorly understood. The association between expression of COX-2 and possible linked signalling pathways—namely, Akt, extracellular regulated kinases (ERK1/2), the stress-activated kinase p38 or Her-2/neu—is assessed in a series of 113 node-negative breast cancers.
Results: COX-2 was identified as an independent prognostic factor (p = 0.034) in node-negative breast cancer by survival analysis. The lack of a relationship between COX-2 expression and activated Akt, Erk1/2, p38 and Her-2/neu was indicated by statistical analysis.
Conclusions: The prognostic effect of COX-2 expression on lymph node-negative breast cancer is confirmed—COX-2 is probably not regulated by HER-2, Akt, Erk1/2 or p38. Further studies are necessary for the elucidation of the signalling pathways responsible for the modification of COX-2 expression and the increased aggressiveness of breast cancers overexpressing COX-2.
- COX, cyclo-oxygenase
- ERK, extracellular regulated kinases
- FAP, familial adenomatous polyposis
- FISH, fluorescent in situ hybridisation
- IHC, immunohistochemistry
- MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase
- NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
- pAkt, phospho-Akt
- pERK, phospho-ERK
- PGE2, prostaglandin E2
- pp38, phospho-p38
- SSC, sodium salt citrate