[The expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2),VEGF in oral squamous cell carcinoma and precancerous lesions and their significances].
OBJECTIVE
To determine expression of Cox-2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and oral leukoplakia and the relation to VEGF.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical staining was used to quantify Cox-2 and VEGF expressions in specimens from 48 patients with oral SCC (including 20 well differentiated cases, 16 moderately differentiated cases and 12 low differentiated cases), 35 patients with oral leukoplakia (epithelial dysplasia), and 20 patients with normal oral mucosa. All specimens were analyzed by conformation quantitative assay system, their stain-strength was calculated. Statistical analysis of ANOVA and linear correlation was performed using SAS statistical software.


RESULTS
The expressions of Cox-2 and VEGF increased significantly as the progression of oral mucosa from normal to oral leukoplakia and oral SCC. The expression of Cox-2 reached peak in well differentiated SCC (0.167+/-0.004), and its expression decreased sharply as differentiation became poor. On the other hand, the expression of VEGF reached peak in well differentiated carcinoma (0.143+/-0.014). The expressions of Cox-2 and VEGF had negative correlation in differently differentiated SCC tissues (r=0.649, P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The expressions of Cox-2 and VEGF were significantly up-regulated in the early carcinogenesis of oral mucosa, and they may be influenced each other. Thus, they were important in the carcinogenesis and progression of oral SCC.
Sun
Xiao-ju
XJ
Department of Stomatology, Liaoning Provincial People's Hospital, Shenyang 110016, Liaoning Province, China. xiaojusun@sina.com
Ma
Jia
J
Zhang
Hui
H
Wang
Xu-kai
XK
Li
Jian-hua
JH
D000368:Aged; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007972:Leukoplakia, Oral / Q000378:metabolism; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human