The relationship between angiogenesis and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that angiogenesis in prostate cancer is associated with tumour invasion and metastasis, and that this is mediated through increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression.


METHODS
Angiogenesis was assessed in 105 patients with either prostate cancer (79) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, 26) and these data correlated with levels of COX-2 expression in the same dataset. The mean microvessel density (MVD) was analysed as a marker of angiogenesis, using the endothelial antigen CD34 stained by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
There was no difference in MVD in progressive tumour stages compared with BPH. There was a negative correlation between MVD and COX-2 expression, but the effect of increased COX-2 expression on MVD was not marked.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that COX-2 drives tumour spread in prostate cancer by means other than the promotion of angiogenesis.
Mukherjee
Rono
R
Endocrine Cancer Group, Division of Cancer Studies and Molecular Pathology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.
Edwards
Joanne
J
Underwood
Mark A
MA
Bartlett
John M S
JM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases