PURPOSE:Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) overexpression has been associated with a poor prognosis in many cancers. However, the role of COX-2 overexpression in head and neck cancers remains undetermined. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether COX-2 is a prognostic factor in glottic cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: This study was part of a phase III placebo-controlled randomized trial evaluating the efficacy of alpha-tocopherol in reducing second primary cancers (SPC) in head and neck cancer patients. Immunohistochemical analyses were conducted on pretreatment biopsies of 301 patients with early-stage glottic cancer treated byradiotherapy. The median value of 50% of positive tumor cells was the cutoff point used to define COX-2 overexpression. Outcomes considered in the statistical analysis were recurrence, SPC, and death. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: The HR associated with COX-2 overexpression was 0.94 (95% CI, 0.55-1.62) for recurrence. The HR associated with SPC was 2.63 (95% CI, 1.32-5.23) for the first 3.5 years of follow-up and 0.55 (95% CI, 0.22-1.32) for the following 3.5 years. The HR associated with COX-2 overexpression was 1.57 (95% CI, 1.01-2.45) for overall mortality. CONCLUSIONS:COX-2 overexpression in glottic cancer was associated with increased overall mortality and an increased risk of SPC during the early follow-up period. Future studies are needed to explain observed effects on SPC. COX-2 expression may prove helpful in defining an individual patient's prognosis.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE:Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) overexpression has been associated with a poor prognosis in many cancers. However, the role of COX-2 overexpression in head and neck cancers remains undetermined. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether COX-2 is a prognostic factor in glottic cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: This study was part of a phase III placebo-controlled randomized trial evaluating the efficacy of alpha-tocopherol in reducing second primary cancers (SPC) in head and neck cancerpatients. Immunohistochemical analyses were conducted on pretreatment biopsies of 301 patients with early-stage glottic cancer treated by radiotherapy. The median value of 50% of positive tumor cells was the cutoff point used to define COX-2 overexpression. Outcomes considered in the statistical analysis were recurrence, SPC, and death. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: The HR associated with COX-2 overexpression was 0.94 (95% CI, 0.55-1.62) for recurrence. The HR associated with SPC was 2.63 (95% CI, 1.32-5.23) for the first 3.5 years of follow-up and 0.55 (95% CI, 0.22-1.32) for the following 3.5 years. The HR associated with COX-2 overexpression was 1.57 (95% CI, 1.01-2.45) for overall mortality. CONCLUSIONS:COX-2 overexpression in glottic cancer was associated with increased overall mortality and an increased risk of SPC during the early follow-up period. Future studies are needed to explain observed effects on SPC. COX-2 expression may prove helpful in defining an individual patient's prognosis.
Authors: Benjamin J Moeller; Vishal Rana; Blake A Cannon; Michelle D Williams; Erich M Sturgis; Lawrence E Ginsberg; Homer A Macapinlac; J Jack Lee; K Kian Ang; K S Clifford Chao; Gregory M Chronowski; Steven J Frank; William H Morrison; David I Rosenthal; Randal S Weber; Adam S Garden; Scott M Lippman; David L Schwartz Journal: Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys Date: 2010-02-18 Impact factor: 7.038
Authors: Susan Li Er Loong; Jacqueline Siok Gek Hwang; Hui Hua Li; Joseph Tien Seng Wee; Swee Peng Yap; Melvin Lee Kiang Chua; Kam Weng Fong; Terence Wee Kiat Tan Journal: Radiat Oncol Date: 2009-07-10 Impact factor: 3.481
Authors: Elisabeth Pérez-Ruiz; O Cazorla; M Redondo; L Pérez; M Álvarez; E Gallego; J M Trigo; J A Medina; A Matilla; A Rueda Journal: Clin Transl Oncol Date: 2012-07-24 Impact factor: 3.405
Authors: M A St John; G Wang; J Luo; M Dohadwala; D Hu; Y Lin; M Dennis; J M Lee; D Elashoff; T Lawhon; S L Zaknoen; F J Burrows; S M Dubinett Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2012-07-24 Impact factor: 7.640