Correlation between cyclooxygenase-2 and tumor angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer.
The role of COX-2 expression and angiogenesis of lung cancer is yet to be delineated. Eighty four non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimens were evaluated for COX-2 expression, microvessel density (MVD), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression by immunohistochemical methods. The relationships between COX-2 expression and MVD, VEGF expression, and survival time were analyzed. COX-2 expression was observed in the cytoplasm and membrane of the carcinoma cells, and premalignant cells. COX-2 was positive in 67 cases (79.8%). There was a statistically significant correlation between COX-2 expression and tumor size, TNM stage, tumor type, VEGF expression, and vascular pattern with survival in univariate analysis. No significant correlation was seen between COX-2, VEGF expression and MVD. A lack of expression of either COX-2 or VEGF expression or both, however, was associated with lower MVD than the group with both expressed. The difference was statistically significant (P=0.005). Statistically significant differences were also observed according to TNM stage, vascular pattern, COX-2 expression, and VEGF expression. With multivariate analysis, only TNM stage and COX-2 expression retained their significance as independent predictors of survival. COX-2 expression takes part in tumor angiogenesis and is a significant poor prognostic factor in the surgically resected NSCLC. COX-2 inhibitor, either in combination therapy with other agents, or for chemoprevention, may be effective via suppression of angiogenesis in this fatal disease.
Kim
Hyung-Seok
HS
Department of Pathology, Seonam University College of Medicine, Chonbuk, South Korea.
Youm
Hyung-Roul
HR
Lee
Ji-Shin
JS
Min
Kyung-Whan
KW
Chung
Jae-Hun
JH
Park
Chang-Soo
CS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000201:enzymology*; D011379:Prognosis; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases