# To study the utility of COX-2 as immunohistochemical prognostic marker in comparison to various histopathological parameters and TNM staging in breast carcinoma: an observational, cross-sectional study protocol

## TL;DR

This study aims to evaluate COX-2 as a potential prognostic marker in breast cancer by comparing it with standard histopathological and staging parameters.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in assessing COX-2's prognostic value in breast cancer alongside established clinical and pathological markers.

## Key findings

- COX-2 overexpression is expected to correlate with poor prognostic factors like larger tumor size and lymph node involvement.
- The study will determine if COX-2 expression can provide additional prognostic information beyond TNM staging and histological grading.
- Results may support COX-2 as a useful immunohistochemical marker in breast cancer prognosis.

## Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide and is a well-known cause for cancer mortality in females. COX-2 (cyclooxygenase) plays a vital role in development of some human cancers such as lung, colon and breast. It is a potent enzyme that is important for the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins. These prostaglandins mediate cellular proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis which contributes to carcinogenesis. Overexpression of COX-2 has been detected in several malignancies including breast cancer. COX-2 overexpression is regarded as a poor prognostic marker of breast cancer.

The present study will aim to study the immunohistochemical expression of COX-2 in breast cancer and compare it with known histopathological parameters thus assessing its prognostic value.

Methods: This will be an observational study conducted in the Department of Pathology, JNMC, Wardha (Sawangi). Radical mastectomy specimens will be studied for COX-2 expression by immunohistochemistry in patients diagnosed with breast carcinoma. COX-2 expression will be quantified as immunohistochemical score and results will be correlated with various histopathological parameters.

Results: The expected result of our study will suggest an association of COX-2 expression to the factors associated with poor prognosis in breast carcinoma. A positive correlation is expected between larger tumor size, positive lymph node status, higher T stage and N stage and lymphovascular invasion.

Conclusions: Conclusions will be drawn from the obtained results of the immunohistochemical study by using COX-2- for detection of overexpression of COX-2 when evaluated with TNM staging, histological grading and molecular types of breast cancer.