COX-2 Expression Does Not Predict Biochemical Failure in Patients Treated with Salvage Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Evidence in the literature suggests that high expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in prostate tumor tissue is associated with increased biochemical failure (BCF), distant metastasis, and any failure after definitive external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). To date, there are no published data regarding whether higher COX-2 levels are associated with increased risk of BCF following salvage radiation therapy (SRT) for prostate cancer. We sought to evaluate COX-2 expression in radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens and its association with BCF in men treated with SRT for a detectable PSA after RP.