Overexpression of COX2 indicates poor survival in urothelial bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND:COX2 is a cyclo-oxygenase enzyme expressed in the tumor cells, inflammatory cells, stromal and non-epithelial cells. The study was conducted to evaluate the expression of COX2 in Urothelial carcinoma and find the association with progression and recurrence. METHODS:The expression of COX2 was evaluated by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS:Gene expression of COX2 was found to be upregulated >28-fold in urothelial cancer compared to adjacent normal bladder mucosa. Inflammatory cell expression of COX2 was found in 92% cases whereas only 37% cases showed COX2 overexpression in tumor cells. Tumor cell COX2 overexpression was significantly associated with invasion and recurrence. CONCLUSION:COX2 expression is a marker of invasion, recurrence and poor survival and may have a role in predicting the cases which will benefit from additional treatment with COX2 inhibitors in urothelial carcinoma.