Expression and clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor, cyclooxygenase-2, and Bcl-2 in borderline ovarian tumors.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives were to study the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), and Bcl-2 in borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) and the relationship within them, and to investigate the correlation between expression of VEGF, Cox-2, and Bcl-2, and the clinicopathologic features of BOTs.


METHODS
An immunohistochemical technique was used to investigate the expression of VEGF ,Cox-2, and Bcl-2 in 69 borderline, 18 benign, and 27 malignant human ovarian tumor tissues.


RESULTS
Expression rate of VEGF protein (59.4%) in BOTs was higher than in benign tumors (27.8%) and was lower than in ovarian carcinomas (92.6%), and there was a significant difference between BOTs and benign ovarian tumors (p < 0.05), and carcinoma (p < 0.01). Significant correlation was observed between the positive expression rate for VEGF and clinical stage of BOTs (p < 0.05). The statistical analysis did not show a close correlation between the expression of VEGF and tissue type, and peritoneal implants in BOTs (p > 0.05). The expression rate of Cox-2 was significantly higher in ovarian carcinomas (81.5%) than in BOTs (57.9%) and in benign ovarian tumors (38.9%) (p < 0.05). Significant correlation was observed between the positive expression rate for Cox-2 and the clinical stage of BOTs (p < 0.05). The statistical analysis showed no close correlation between the expression of Cox-2 and tissue type, and peritoneal implants in BOTs (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference between the expression of Bcl-2 in ovarian carcinomas and BOTs than that in benign ovarian tumors (p < 0.05). The positive expression rate of Bcl-2 was not related to clinical stages and peritoneal implants (p > 0.05). Statistical analysis showed a positive correlation between the expression of Cox-2 and VEGF, and Bcl-2 in BOTs.


CONCLUSIONS
Overexpression of VEGF, Cox-2, and Bcl-2 in BOTs may play an important role in the oncogenesis and progression of BOTs. It is feasible to detect VEGF, Cox-2, and Bcl-2 in the diagnosis and to predict the prognosis of BOTs.
Li
Min
M
Department of Pathology, Lanzhou Medical College, Lanzhou University, Gansu Province, 730000, People's Republic of China.
Qi
Shu-Ying
SY
Wang
Yong
Y
Feng
Shu-Xian
SX
Zhang
Bang-Zhi
BZ
Wang
Rui
R
D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2