Cyclooxygenase 2 Expression in Soft Tissue Leiomyosarcoma

Background: Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) expression is up-regulated and associated with adverse prognosis in select types of carcinoma. Although not extensively studied in skeletal or soft tissue sarcoma, expression of COX2 has been described in a variable number of gynecological and non-gynecological leiomyosarcomas. In this study, the prevalence and prognostic implications of COX2 expression in leiomyosarcoma were evaluated further. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical stains for COX2 were performed on 33 samples of soft tissue leiomyosarcoma and tested for their association with clinicopathological parameters and patient outcome. Results: COX2 staining was limited to tumor cells surrounding areas of tumor necrosis in 6 cases. There were no statistically significant correlations with the clinicopathological parameters studied, including local recurrence, distant metastasis, or disease-specific death. Conclusion: The low frequency, restricted distribution and absence of prognostic implications of COX2 expression soft tissue leiomyosarcoma suggest that this enzyme may not be a useful pharmacological target in this clinical setting.