Cyclooxygenase-2 in oligodendroglial neoplasms.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Although increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been described in association with a variety of neoplasms, including tumors of astrocytic derivation, limited data are available on COX-2 expression in oligodendrogliomas.

METHODS:

The current study retrospectively reviewed 53 oligodendrogliomas and 7 oligodendroglioma-predominant oligoastrocytomas (mixed gliomas) for COX-2 expression and MIB-1 proliferative index (by immunohistochemistry) and for chromosome 1p status (by fluorescence in situ hybridization).

RESULTS:

Patients included 35 males and 25 females, with a mean age of 41 years (range, 12-73 years) at the time of surgery. Forty-four tumor specimens were classified as World Health Organization (WHO) Grade II neoplasms and 16 as WHO Grade III tumors. MIB-1 labeling indices (marker of cell proliferation) ranged from 0 to 22.3 (mean 4.5). Twenty-eight tumor specimens demonstrated allelic loss on chromosome 1p. Positive staining was observed in 17 tumor specimens with COX-2 antibody. COX-2-positive tumor specimens were also evaluated with CD68 (macrophage/microglial cell marker) by coimmunolabeling to confirm that the observed COX-2 immunostaining was not due to immunoreactive macrophages or microglial cells. COX-2 expression, lack of allelic loss at chromosome 1p, and high proliferation indices were associated with decreased survival (P = 0.002, P = 0.009, and P = 0.015, respectively). No correlation with outcome was found with patient gender, age at diagnosis, or histologic grade.

CONCLUSIONS:

Chromosome 1p, COX-2 immunoreactivity, and MIB-1 labeling indices correlated with outcome and were associated with decreased survival. There was not a one-to-one correspondence between COX-2 immunoreactivity and lack of allelic loss at chromosome 1p. Tumors with expression of COX-2 by immunohistochemistry may, in theory, benefit from treatment with therapeutic agents that inhibit COX-2.

• Authors: Elias A Castilla, Richard A Prayson, Andrew A Kanner, Lisa A Rybicki, Raymond R Tubbs, Michael A Vogelbaum, Gene H Barnett
• Journal: Cancer (Cancer) Vol. 98 Issue 7 Pg. 1465-72 (Oct 01 2003) ISSN: 0008-543X [Print] United States
• PMID: 14508834 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11632

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Analysis of Variance
• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
• Biopsy, Needle
• Brain Neoplasms (enzymology, mortality, pathology)
• Child
• Cohort Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Staging
• Oligodendroglioma (enzymology, mortality, pathology)
• Probability
• Prognosis
• Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases (genetics, metabolism)
• Retrospective Studies
• Risk Assessment
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Survival Analysis
• Time Factors