Abstract
Background:Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the most common neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract. COX-2 plays an important role in CRC development and is a key target for the regression of colorectal tumorigenesis by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The present study was conducted to examine the relationship of the levels of COX-2 in CRC patients with the clinico-pathological parameters and also to assess its usefulness as a potential biomarker for diagnosis of CRC. Methods:Prior to surgery, 30 CRC patients were enrolled and the samples from colon tumors and surrounding tissues were taken after they underwent surgical intervention at PGIMER, Chandigarh. mRNA expression levels of COX-2 were examined in 30 CRC and adjacent normal colonic mucosa by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The expression of COX-2 was assessed by immunohistochemical method using rabbit polyclonal antibodies against human COX-2 protein. Results:The quantitative relative expression of COX-2 mRNA was observed to be significantly higher (p<0.05) in colorectal cancer tissues as compared to adjacent normal colon tissues. Also, female CRC patients showed significantly higher (p<0.009) expression of COX-2 mRNA vis-a-vis male colorectal cancer patients. This is the first study which has reported a direct relationship between COX-2 mRNA expressions in male colorectal cancer patients versus females. Further, immunohistochemistry of COX-2 confirmed the quantitative real time-PCR findings. Conclusion:Our study shows that COX-2 over expression in colorectal carcinoma patients is closely associated with clinico-pathological parameters and is more pronounced in males versus females. Further, COX-2 mRNA expression can serve as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of CRC.
Highlights
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a very common malignant tumor of the digestive tract
Prior to surgery, 30 CRC patients were enrolled and the samples from colon tumors and surrounding tissues were taken after they underwent surgical intervention at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. mRNA expression levels of COX-2 were examined in 30 CRC and adjacent normal colonic mucosa by quantitative polymerase chain reaction
Our study shows that COX-2 over expression in colorectal carcinoma patients is closely associated with clinico-pathological parameters and is more pronounced in males versus females
Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a very common malignant tumor of the digestive tract. Nearly 1.2 million new cases of CRC and 600,000 associated deaths are reported worldwide annually (Wu and Sun, 2015; CRC is the third most common cancer in the world and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths (Ricchi et al, 2003). Cyclooxygenases catalyze the conversion of free arachidonic acid into prostaglandin H2, which is the precursor of other prostaglandins and thromboxanes These regulatory compounds play a critical role in various biological processes such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis, immune function and inflammation, which are all crucial in the development as well as progression of neoplasms (Chandrasekharan et al, 2002). Results: The quantitative relative expression of COX-2 mRNA was observed to be significantly higher (p
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