Expression of NF-kB and COX2 in colorectal cancer among native Indonesians: the role of inflammation in colorectal carcinogenesis.

AIM to evaluate the expression of NF-kB and COX2 in native Indonesians with sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS we conducted a matched-pair case-control study by acquiring both CRC and tumor-adjacent normal tissues from the same subjects. CRC patients who underwent surgery at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, or Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, were enrolled in the study. The specimens were immunohistologically stained with antibody directed against p65 (RelA) to assess NF-kB expression and against human COX2 protein to assess COX2 expression. RESULTS sixty-seven specimens consisting of both CRC and tumor-adjacent normal tissues were analyzed. COX2 expression was positive in 39 CRC tissues (58.2%), but in only 19 tumor-adjacent normal tissues (28.4%; p=0.0002). NF-kB expression was positive in 47 CRC tissues (70.1%), but in only 27 tumor-adjacent normal tissues (40.3%; p<0.0001). CONCLUSION inflammation plays a role in the carcinogenesis of sporadic CRC in native Indonesians. This support potential use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as chemopreventive agents for CRC.