Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in colorectal adenocarcinoma: an immunohistochemical and histopathological study.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) immunoreactivity in colorectal adenocarcinomas and to find correlations with different pathological features. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study included 35 cases of colorectal carcinoma for which surgical colectomy specimens were collected. Immunohistochemical staining of COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) is done by using the Streptavidin-biotin technique. RESULTS This work reveals that COX-2 is positive in most cases of colorectal carcinoma and negative in normal colon tissue with statistically non significant relations between COX-2 immunostaining and different pathological features. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest overexpression of COX-2 protein in colorectal carcinoma in contrast to normal mucosa, with a possible role in cell proliferation in carcinogenesis.