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.
Department of Pathology, Seonam University College of Medicine, Chonbuk, South Korea.
Hyung-Seok
HS
Kim
Hyung-Roul
HR
Youm
Ji-Shin
JS
Lee
Kyung-Whan
KW
Min
Jae-Hun
JH
Chung
Chang-Soo
CS
Park
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