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Thorax 2004;59:428-433 doi:10.1136/thx.2003.008912
  • Lung cancer

Prognostic significance of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and expression of cell cycle inhibitors p21 and p27 in human pleural malignant mesothelioma

  1. A Baldi1,
  2. D Santini2,
  3. F Vasaturo3,
  4. M Santini4,
  5. G Vicidomini4,
  6. M Pia Di Marino1,
  7. V Esposito5,7,
  8. A M Groeger6,7,
  9. G Liuzzi5,
  10. B Vincenzi2,
  11. G Tonini2,
  12. M Piccoli3,
  13. F Baldi1,
  14. S Scarpa3
  1. 1Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, “F Cedrangolo”, Section of Anatomic Pathology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
  2. 2Section of Oncology, “Campus Bio-Medico” University, Rome, Italy
  3. 3Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, “La Sapienza” University, Rome, Italy
  4. 4Department of Thoracic Surgery, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
  5. 5Department of Cardiological, Respiratory and Thoracic Medical Sciences, Second University of Naples, and Third Division of Infective Diseases, D Cotugno Hospital, Naples, Italy
  6. 6Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, University of Vienna, Austria
  7. 7International Society for the Study of Comparative Oncology (ISSCO), Silver Spring, MD, USA
  1. Correspondence to:
    Dr A Baldi
    Via G Orsi 25, 80128 Naples, Italy; alfonsobalditiscali.it
  • Received 16 April 2003
  • Accepted 4 February 2004

Abstract

Background: A study was undertaken to analyse the potential prognostic value of the immunohistochemical expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and p27 in 29 malignant mesotheliomas already screened for the expression of p21 and p53.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of COX-2 and p27. The correlation with survival of these factors and of p21 and p53 expression was assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results: A positive statistically significant correlation was found between p27 and p21 expression (p<0.0001), but there was a negative correlation between COX-2 expression and both p27 (p = 0.001) and p21 (p<0.0001). No statistically significant correlation was recorded between p53 and all the other immunohistochemical parameters. Univariate analysis showed that overall survival was strongly influenced by p21, p27, and COX-2 expression, but multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the only immunohistochemical parameter to influence overall survival of patients with mesothelioma was COX-2.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that COX-2 expression may be a useful prognostic parameter for mesothelioma.

Footnotes

  • Funding: International Society for the Study of Comparative Oncology Inc (ISSCO, President H E Kaiser) Silver Spring, MD, USA; FUTURA-Onlus; General Broker Service; MIUR and Second University of Naples.

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