Prostaglandin Metabolite in Urine Samples From Patients With Ovarian Cancer

• Prostaglandin E2 metabolite (PGE-M) levels in 24-hour urine samples [ Time Frame: Pre-surgical or chemotherapeutic treatment, over a 24-hour duration ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Patients will be collect their urine for 24 hours before they undergo any surgery or chemotherapy. Researchers will measure the amount of PGE-M in the urine.
  
  

• COX-1 and COX-2 expression in ovarian tumor tissue and non-malignant tissue [ Time Frame: Day of surgery ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  COX-1 and COX-2 expression will be measured in samples of patients' malignant ovarian samples and matched non-malignant samples (the latter if available).
  
  
• Correlation of urine PGE-M levels with tissue COX-1 and COX-2 levels [ Time Frame: After patients' surgery ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Patients' levels of urine PGE-M will be compared and contrasted with their levels of COX-1 and COX-2 in ovarian tumor tissue
  
  

OBJECTIVES:

• Determine the level of prostaglandin E_2 metabolite (PGE-M) in 24-hour urine samples collected prior to surgery or chemotherapy from patients with ovarian cancer.
• Determine cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression by western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in ovarian tumor tissue samples and matched normal ovarian tissue samples, if available, from these patients.
• Correlate urine PGE-M levels with corresponding tissue COX-1 and COX-2 levels in urine and tissue samples from these patients.

OUTLINE: This is a pilot study.

Patients submit 24-hour urine specimens prior to surgery for evaluation of urinary levels of prostaglandin E_2 metabolite (PGE-M).

Patients also undergo assessment of tissue obtained at the time of surgery, including ovarian tumor tissue, normal surface ovarian epithelium tissue (if available), and fixed tissue embedded in a paraffin block. Tissue samples are analyzed by western blot and IHC for cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 expression.