BACKGROUND: The esophageal carcinoma represents about 2% of malignant tumors and is the third most common cause of gastrointestinal cancer. The correlation between immunohistochemistry markers, such as p53, p16 and COX-2 proteins and cancer esophageal prognosis has been suggested. AIMS: To Investigate whether the expression of p53, p16 and COX-2 proteins are associated to tumor staging. METHODS: For this purpose we proceeded immunohistochemistry assays and TMN in 31 esophageal tumor and normal tissue samples. The p53 nuclear expression was considered positive when it appears in 10.00% or more cells. COX-2 expression was scored according to intensity in three scores (1+, 2+, 3+). RESULTS: On the tumor samples the results presented 48.38% positivity for p53, 16.12% for p16 and 100% with 1+, 2+ or 3+ scores for COX-2. However, when we investigated whether the expression of p53, p16 and COX-2 proteins are related to tumor staging, only COX-2 expression, score 3+, had shown statistical significant association. CONCLUSION: Therefore, in the present study we could see positive correlation between COX-2 protein and high grade tumor as well as advanced tumor staging in esophageal carcinoma.
Esophageal neoplasms; Carcinoma, squamous cell; Tumor suppressor protein p53; Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p16; Cyclooxygenase 2
