Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in adenocarcinomas of the uterine cervix and its relation to angiogenesis and tumor growth.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression in adenocarcinomas of the uterine cervix and its correlation with clinicopathologic features, angiogenesis, and tumor growth.


METHODS
Thirty-nine cases of FIGO clinical stage I and II adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix were examined by immunohistochemical studies with anti-COX-2. Microvessels were immunohistochemically labeled with an antibody to CD34. Computerized image analysis was used to evaluate microvessel density (MVD). The apoptotic cells were visualized by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and proliferative cells were visualized by staining with Ki-67 antibody.


RESULTS
Twenty-eight tumors (71.8%) were classified as COX-2 positive. COX-2 expression correlated with FIGO stage (P < 0.01). Tumors expressing COX-2 had a significantly higher MVD and Ki-67 index than those that did not express COX-2 (P < 0.05). However, COX-2 expression did not correlate with the apoptotic index. In univariate long-rank analysis, COX-2 expression, MVD, and FIGO stage were associated with shortened survival. However, FIGO stage and MVD were the only independent prognostic factors by multivariate analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that COX-2 expression in cervical adenocarcinomas may contribute to tumor progression by increasing angiogenesis and cell proliferation.
Lee
Ji Shin
JS
Department of Pathology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Research Institute of Medical Science, Gwangju, Korea. jshinlee@hanmail.net
Choi
Yoo Duk
YD
Lee
Jae Hyuk
JH
Nam
Jong Hee
JH
Choi
Chan
C
Lee
Min Cheol
MC
Park
Chang Soo
CS
Juhng
Sang Woo
SW
Kim
Hyung Seok
HS
Min
Kyung Whan
KW
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D048708:Cell Growth Processes / Q000502:physiology; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D018450:Disease Progression; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*
D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases