Roles of E-cadherin and Cyclooxygenase Enzymes in Predicting Different Survival Patterns of Optimally Cytoreduced Serous Ovarian Cancer Patients

The relation between cyclooxygenase enzymes and E-cadherin, along with the roles of these markers in theprediction of survival in optimally cytoreduced serous ovarian cancer patients was investigated. Individualswho underwent primary staging surgery and achieved optimal cytoreduction (largest residual tumor volume<1 cm) constituted the study population. Specimens of 32 cases were immunohistochemically examinedfor cyclooxygenase-1, cyclooxygenase-2, and E-cadherin. Two could not be evaluated for E-cadherin andcyclooxygenase-1. Overall, 14/30, 19/30, and 15/32 cases were positive for E-cadherin, cyclooxygenase-1, andcyclooxygenase-2, respectively. The expressions of E-cadherin and cyclooxygenase-2 were inversely correlated(p:0.02). E-cadherin expression was related with favorable survival (p<0.001). The relation between the expressionof cyclooxygenase enzymes and poor survival did not reach statistical significance. On multivariate analysis,E-cadherin appeared as an independent prognostic factor for survival. In conclusion, E-cadherin expression isstrongly linked with favorable survival. E-cadherin and cyclooxygenase 2 may interact with each other during thecarcinogenesis-invasion process. Further studies clarifying the relation between E-cadherin and cyclooxygenaseenzymes may lead to new preventive and therapeutic targets in ovarian cancer.