Cox-2 and its association with prognostic factors and response to primary chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer

Rozenowicz, Renato de Lima; Santos, Roberto Euzébio dos; Silva, Maria Antonieta Longo Galvão; Rodrigues, Fabio Francisco Oliveira; Oliveira, André Lima de; Ulson, Liliane Baratela; Oliveira, Vilmar Marques; Aoki, Tsutomu

doi:10.1590/S0100-69912010000500003

Abstracts

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of cox-2 before primary chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (FEC) and its association with initial tumor size, lymph node status, hormone receptors, expression of HER2 and the clinical and pathological response in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study with 41 women with histopathological diagnosis of ductal breast carcinoma. They underwent primary chemotherapy with FEC regimen (5-fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide) at 500mg/m2, 75mg/m2 and 500 mg/m2, respectively. Inclusion criteria were age range between 30 and 70 years, stage II to IIIA, absence of metastasis, primary tumor of the breast, single, unilateral, with ductal invasion at histology and absence of heart disease and pregnancy. To evaluate the expression of HER2/neu protein we used rabbit monoclonal antibodies. To visualize the expression of cox-2 protein we used polyclonal antibodies obtained from goats' serum. The evaluation of clinical response to treatment was performed during physical examination by measuring the major tumor axis with a pachymeter. Measurements were taken at admission and after primary chemotherapy cycles. After three chemotherapy sessions at intervals of 21 days the surgical procedure was carried out. We adopted the criteria of RECIST. After the operation we evaluated the local pathological response, which was considered complete when there was absence of invasive neoplasia and of the in situ component. In immunohistochemical assessing of estrogen receptors we used estrogen receptor NCL-ER6F11 and, for progesterone, progesterone receptor NCL-PGR-312, considering positive the staining of 10% or more tumor cells. RESULTS: The distribution according to UICC clinical stage classified six patients in stage IIA (14.6%), 22 in stage IIB (53.6%) and 13 stage IIIA (31.8%). The initial clinical evaluation of the major tumor axis ranged from 2.5 to 15 cm and a median of 5 cm. We identified 14 patients (34.1%) with negative lymph node status, and 27 positive (65.9%). It was observed that 19 (46.3%) were in premenopause and 22 (53.6%) in menopause. CONCLUSION: There was an association of the expression of Cox-2 to the factors associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer, such as positive lymph node status, negative hormone receptors and HER2 expression.

Adjuvant chemotherapy; Breast cancer

OBJETIVO: Avaliar em pacientes com câncer de mama a expressão imunoistoquímica da cox-2 antes da quimioterapia primária com 5-fluorouracil, epirrubicina e ciclofosfamida (FEC) e a associação desta com tamanho inicial do tumor, estado linfonodal, receptores hormonais, expressão da Her-2 e com a resposta clínica e anatomopatológica. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo com 41 mulheres portadoras do diagnóstico histopatológico de carcinoma ductal de mama. Foram submetidas à quimioterapia primária com esquema FEC (5-fluorouracil, epirrubicina e ciclofosfamida) na dosagem de 500mg/m2, 75mg/m2 e 500 mg/m2, respectivamente. Os critérios de inclusão foram intervalo etário entre 30 e 70 anos, estadiamento II a IIIA, após comprovação da ausência de metástase, tumor primário de mama, único e unilateral, tipo histológico ductal invasivo e ausência de cardiopatia e gestação. Para avaliação da expressão da proteína Her 2 neuutilizaram-se anticorpos monoclonais de coelho. Para visibilizar a expressão da proteína cox-2 utilizaram-se anticorpos policlonais obtidos do soro de cabras. A avaliação da resposta clínica ao tratamento foi realizada por exame físico mensurando-se o maior eixo tumoral por paquímetro. As medidas foram realizadas à admissão e após os ciclos de quimioterapia primária. Após três sessões quimioterápicas com intervalos de 21 dias realizou-se o procedimento cirúrgico. Adotaram-se os critérios do RECIST. Após a operação foi avaliada a resposta anatomopatológica local, sendo considerada completa quando da ausência de neoplasia invasiva e do componente in situ. Na avaliação imumoistoquímica para os receptores de estrogênio utilizaram-se estrogen receptor NCL-ER6F11 e para progesterona, progesterone receptor, NCL-PGR-312 considerando positiva quando da coloração em 10% ou mais das células tumorais. RESULTADOS: A distribuição segundo estadiamento clínico UICC verificaram-se seis no estádio IIA (14,6%), 22 no estádio IIB (53,6%) e 13 estádio IIIA (31,8%). A avaliação clínica inicial do maior eixo tumoral variou de 2,5 a 15 cm e mediana de 5 cm. Foram identificadas 14 pacientes (34,1%) com estado linfonodal negativo e 27 positivo (65,9%). Observou-se que 19 (46,3%) apresentavam-se no menacme e 22 (53,6%) na menopausa. CONCLUSÃO: Houve associação da expressão da cox-2 à fatores de pior prognóstico no câncer de mama como estado linfonodal positivo, receptores hormonais negativos e expressão da Her-2.

Quimioterapia adjuvante; Neoplasias da mama

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

^IAssistant Physician, DOGI Pelvic Oncology Clinic, Brotherhood of the Santa Casa de São Paulo-SP-BR

^IIHead, DOGI Pelvic Oncology Clinic, Brotherhood of the Santa Casa de São Paulo-SP-BR

^IIIAssistant Professor, Anatomy and Pathology Department-FCMSCSP- SP-BR

^IVAssistant Physician, DOGI Pelvic Oncology Clinic, Brotherhood of the Santa Casa de São Paulo-SP-BR

^VAssistant Physician, DOGI General Gynecology Clinic, Brotherhood of the Santa Casa de São Paulo-SP-BR

^VIPost-graduate-FCMSCSP- SP-BR

^VIIAssistant Physician, DOGI Mastology Clinic, Brotherhood of the Santa Casa de São Paulo-SP-BR

^VIIIDirector, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brotherhood of the Santa Casa de São Paulo-SP-BR

Correspondence address

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of cox-2 before primary chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (FEC) and its association with initial tumor size, lymph node status, hormone receptors, expression of HER2 and the clinical and pathological response in patients with breast cancer.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study with 41 women with histopathological diagnosis of ductal breast carcinoma. They underwent primary chemotherapy with FEC regimen (5-fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide) at 500mg/m2, 75mg/m2 and 500 mg/m2, respectively. Inclusion criteria were age range between 30 and 70 years, stage II to IIIA, absence of metastasis, primary tumor of the breast, single, unilateral, with ductal invasion at histology and absence of heart disease and pregnancy. To evaluate the expression of HER2/neu protein we used rabbit monoclonal antibodies. To visualize the expression of cox-2 protein we used polyclonal antibodies obtained from goats' serum. The evaluation of clinical response to treatment was performed during physical examination by measuring the major tumor axis with a pachymeter. Measurements were taken at admission and after primary chemotherapy cycles. After three chemotherapy sessions at intervals of 21 days the surgical procedure was carried out. We adopted the criteria of RECIST. After the operation we evaluated the local pathological response, which was considered complete when there was absence of invasive neoplasia and of the in situ component. In immunohistochemical assessing of estrogen receptors we used estrogen receptor NCL-ER6F11 and, for progesterone, progesterone receptor NCL-PGR-312, considering positive the staining of 10% or more tumor cells.

RESULTS: The distribution according to UICC clinical stage classified six patients in stage IIA (14.6%), 22 in stage IIB (53.6%) and 13 stage IIIA (31.8%). The initial clinical evaluation of the major tumor axis ranged from 2.5 to 15 cm and a median of 5 cm. We identified 14 patients (34.1%) with negative lymph node status, and 27 positive (65.9%). It was observed that 19 (46.3%) were in premenopause and 22 (53.6%) in menopause.

CONCLUSION: There was an association of the expression of Cox-2 to the factors associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer, such as positive lymph node status, negative hormone receptors and HER2 expression.

Key words: Chemotherapy, adjuvant. Breast neoplasms.

INTRODUCTION

In 2008 there were estimated 49,470 new cases of breast cancer with 9,170 deaths in Brazil. Despite advances in screening and treatment of this disease, the mortality rate increased 76% over the 1970-2000 period, from 5.7 per 100,000 women in 1979 to 10.15 per 100,000 women in 2002¹.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has advantages such as possibility of in vivo study of chemotherapy and increased rate of conservative surgery. Thus, the search for markers that are intrinsic to tumor aggressiveness, as well as providing the finding of new prognostic factors, are useful in treatment planning. In this context the study of cyclooxygenase-2 has been shown to be relevant. Cox is the enzyme conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin H2. It exists in mammals in two isoforms: Cox-1 and Cox-2. Cox-2, a 74kDa protein localized in the cells' endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear membrane, is expressed by stimuli such as inflammatory response and tumor promoters².

Liu et al. observed that transgenic mice with overexpression of Cox-2 developed breast cancer in an 85% rate, suggesting the involvement of this enzyme in mammary gland carcinogenesis³. Other studies correlate its expression with invasive and metastatic stimuli in breast cancer⁴.

This study aims to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of Cox-2 and its association with tumor size, lymph node clinical status, hormone receptors, expression of HER2/neu and the pathological and clinical response to primary chemotherapy in women with ductal carcinoma of the breast stages II or III.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study based on the database of the Chemotherapy Service, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (DOGI) of the Brotherhood of Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Sao Paulo (ISCMSP). We evaluated 41 women treated between July 2004 and July 2006, with histopathologic diagnosis of breast ductal carcinoma.

This group of patients underwent primary chemotherapy with FEC regimen (5-fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide) at 500mg/m2, 75mg/m2 and 500 mg/m2, respectively, after biopsy. Inclusion criteria were age range between 30 and 70 years, stage II to IIIA according to the criteria of UICC's Sixth Edition, absence of metastasis (bone scan, chest radiograph, abdominal ultrasound and CA 15-3), primary breast tumor, and single-sided (as assessed by mammography), invasive ductal type at histology and absence of heart disease and pregnancy.

In this sample, age ranged between 32 and 70 years, mean 49.9 years, standard deviation of 10.25 and a median of 50 years. Seven (17.1%) patients were in the group under 40 years, 27 (65.8%) between 41 and 60 years and seven (17.1%) over 60 years.

Distribution according to UICC clinical stage classified six patients in stage IIA (14.6%), 22 in stage IIB (53.6%) and 13 in stage IIIA (31.8%).

The initial clinical evaluation of the major tumor axis ranged from 2.5 to 15 cm with a mean of 5.9 cm (standard deviation of 2.43 cm) and a median of 5 cm, whereas 19 patients (46.3%) had a tumor larger than 5 cm and 22 (53.7%) less than or equal to 5 cm. We identified 14 patients (34.1%) with negative lymph node status and 27 positive (65.9%). It was observed that 19 (46.3%) patients were premenopausal and 22 (53.6%) were at menopause.

Immunohistochemical evaluation

The biopsy material prior to chemotherapy was fixed in buffered 10% formaldehyde and sent to the Department of Pathological Sciences, ISCMSP. Immunohistochemistry of the present study was performed according to the protocol of that Pathology Department.

For estrogen receptors we used estrogen receptor-NCL ER6F11 (Mouse Monoclonal Antibody Novocastra, Norwell, MA, USA, dilution: 1/55 overnight) and for progesterone, progesterone receptor NCL-PGR-312 (Mouse Monoclonal Antibody Novocastra, Norwell, MA, USA, dilution: 1/100 overnight). We considered positive the staining of 10% or more tumor cells.

We used rabbit antibodies (Dako Cop., Carpinteria, CA, USA) to evaluate the expression of HER2/neu protein in the plasma membrane of cancer cells, as proposed by Abreu e Lima et al.⁵.

Polyclonal antibodies obtained from serum of goats (3362-100 Biovision Research Products, dilution 1:70) were used to assess the expression of Cox-2 protein, the positive control being performed in biopsies of breast tissue with an inflammatory process. Analysis of immunohistochemistry was performed according to the criteria proposed by Ristimäki et al.⁶, based on the intensity of staining of the cytoplasm and cell membrane and it was considered positive when the grade was 2 or 3.

Evaluation of tumor response

The evaluation of clinical response to treatment was performed by physical examination, measuring the major tumor axis with a pachymeter. Measurements were taken at admission and after primary chemotherapy cycles, by the same examiner, recorded in medical charts and in the Department of Chemotherapy database. After three chemotherapy sessions at intervals of 21 days patients were submitted to surgery.

We adopted the criteria of RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors) as proposed by Therrase et al⁷ , considering patients with complete or partial response as the responder group, and patients with disease progression or stable disease as the non-responder one.

After the operation we evaluated local pathological response, which was considered complete when in the absence of invasive neoplasia or an in situ component, as recommended by Sataloff et al.⁸.

Statistical analysis

We used SPSS 15 software for Windows, the expression of Cox-2 being associated with the studied variables by Fisher exact test. A 5% level of rejection of the null hypothesis was set for the variables analyzed.

RESULTS

Regarding hormone receptors, 25 patients (60.98%) were estrogen receptor positive and 24 (58.5%) progesterone receptor positive. By immunohistochemistry the expression of HER2/neu was positive in 17 patients (41.4%) and Cox-2 in 23 (56.1%).

After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the tumor major axis ranged from zero to 8.5 cm with a mean of 3.59 cm, standard deviation of 2.14 cm and a median of 3.0 cm.

The clinical response based on RECIST criteria showed the following distribution: 25 (60.98%) responders and 16 (39.02%) non-responders. Histopathological evaluation showed complete response in five patients (12.19%) (Tables 1 and 2).

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DISCUSSION

The study of Cox-2 and its association with response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer is appropriate, since the identification of response biomarkers will provide the finding of an ideal group of patients who will benefit from breast preservation and less toxicity. In this study we observed the expression of Cox-2 in 56% of all cases, confronting the data from the literature, which shows its expression in approximately 40% ⁹.

No correlation was found between the expression of Cox-2 and initial tumor size, also diverging from the literature, where clear association of expression with larger tumors was found¹⁰.

The lymph node status is a major prognostic factor in breast carcinoma; its positivity confers 35% risk for death by disease in five years. Costa et al.¹¹ studied 46 Portuguese women treated at the University of Porto and showed a correlation between the expression of Cox-2 in the tumor and positive lymph node status, converging with the literature^6,10. We found a positive association between Cox-2 and positive clinical lymph node status, corroborating the data from those authors and those of Grudzinski et al.¹² that found a positive association of expression with lymph nodes affected in patients from our country. These data emphasize the likely role of Cox-2 in the mechanisms lymphangiogenesis with disease dissemination, corroborating in vitro findings of stimulation of VEGF-C by Cox-2¹³.

We observed, through analysis of hormone receptor function in the expression of Cox-2, an inverse relationship between these variables, as found by other authors ^6,10. McCarthy et al.¹⁴ also observed, by RT-PCR, a significant correlation between a positive expression of Cox-2 and negative hormone receptor, indicating a worse prognosis, despite increased susceptibility to chemotherapy.

One possible mechanism that explains this negative association was proposed in an in vitro study by Mendelson & Hardy¹⁵, who observed the inhibition of Cox-2 gene transcription by blocking the p65 subunit of NF-Kâ using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) in culture medium with progesterone. These authors concluded that, by interfering in this expression, the progesterone receptor plays a crucial role in blocking the route of mammary carcinogenesis mediated by prostaglandin E2 and aromatase, agreeing with the NSABP B-09 study, which showed greater benefit from tamoxifen in patients with positive progestagen receptor tumors.

The relationship between the signaling of HER2/neu and the expression of Cox-2 is well evidenced in the literature by proposing a biological model in which there is induction of Cox-2 by HER2 via Ras/MAPK, with Cox-2 positive feedback with HER¹⁶. We observed the expression of Cox-2 in 94.2% of the HER2 positive group with a highly significant association, a finding similar to the ones in the literature¹⁷.

The studies on the association of the expression of Cox-2 with response to primary chemotherapy are scarce, but there is evidence that the expression of Cox-2 is related to resistance to chemotherapy. Surowiak et. al.¹⁸ used immunohistochemistry to analyze the expression of the Cox-2 protein and drug resistance, MDR-1, in 104 Polish women with ductal carcinoma submitted to adjuvant chemotherapy, and found a close association between the expression of Cox-2 and MDR-1. Besides demonstrating the lowest response in the group that expressed Cox-2, it suggested that Cox-2 might be related to efflux of intracellular anthracyclines by mechanisms associated with MDR 1, promoting resistance to chemotherapeutic agents.

In patients with esophageal carcinoma the expression of Cox-2 was correlated with decreased response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy¹⁹, corroborating Ferrandina et al.²⁰, who showed lower response to chemotherapy in gynecological cancer, demonstrating chemoresistance in tumors expressing Cox-2.

We noted the expression of Cox-2 in 68% of the responder group and in 37.5% of the non-responder. Although these data show a correlation between the behavior of the Cox-2 expression and good response to primary chemotherapy with FEC, no association was statistically significant. We did not observe an association between the pathological response and the expression of Cox-2.

Though there was no association with response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, new research on the Cox-2 should be carried out in order to establish its true role as a predictor of response to chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer.

CONCLUSION

There was an association between the expression of Cox-2 and factors related to poor prognosis in breast cancer, such as positive lymph node status, negative hormone receptor and HER2 expression.

REFERENCES

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