BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEEpidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which can regulate growth, invasion and metastasis of tumor through relevant signaling pathway, have been detected in a variety of solid tumors. The aim of this study is to investigate the biological significance of EGFR and COX-2 expression in lung cancer and the relationship between them.

METHODSThe expression of EGFR and COX-2 was detected in 89 primary lung cancer tissues, 12 premalignant lesions, 12 lymph node metastases, and 10 normal lung tissues as the control by immunohistochemical method on a tissue microarray section.

RESULTSEGFR protein was detectable in 59.6%, 41.7%, and 66.7% of primary lung cancer tissues, premalignant lesions and lymph node metastases, respectively; COX-2 protein was detectable in 52.8%, 41.7%, and 66.7% of primary lung cancer tissues, premalignant lesions and lymph node metastases, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the control (P < 0.05). The positive ratios and the levels of the expression of EGFR and COX-2 proteins were closely related to histological type, clinical stage and lymph node metastasis of lung cancer (P < 0.05), but not to histological grade, sex and age (P > 0.05). COX-2 expression was related to gross type (P < 0.05). A highly positive correlation was observed between EGFR and COX-2 expression (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONOverexpression of EGFR and COX-2 may play an important role in the tumorgenesis, progression and malignancy of lung cancer. Detection of EGFR and COX-2 expression might be helpful to diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer.