Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in epithelial ovarian tumors and its relation to vascular endothelial growth factor and p53 expression.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in epithelial ovarian tumors and its correlation with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and p53 expression. Immunohistochemical studies with anti-COX-2, anti-VEGF, and anti-p53 antibodies were carried out in 54 malignant and 23 borderline epithelial ovarian tumors. Elevated COX-2 expression was detected in 77.8% of ovarian carcinomas, which was significantly higher than that of borderline tumors (26.1%) (P < 0.001). In ovarian carcinomas, there was no significant correlation between COX-2 expression and other clinicopathologic features. Elevated VEGF expression was detected in 74.1% of ovarian carcinomas, and p53 expression was found in 64.8% of ovarian carcinomas. COX-2 expression was statistically correlated with elevated VEGF expression (P < 0.001) and p53 positivity (P < 0.05). On a univariate analysis, FIGO stage (P < 0.0001), histologic type (P= 0.0104), and COX-2 expression (P= 0.0135) were significant prognostic factors for overall survival. In a multivariate analysis, FIGO stage (P < 0.0001) was the only independent prognostic factor for poor survival. These findings suggest that COX-2 may play a role in the progression of epithelial ovarian tumors and that COX-2 expression may contribute to ovarian tumor angiogenesis by stimulating VEGF expression. p53 may be responsible for the regulation of COX-2 expression.
Lee
J S
JS
Department of Pathology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Research Institute of Medical Science, Gwangju, Korea. jshinlee@hanmail.net
Choi
Y D
YD
Lee
J H
JH
Nam
J H
JH
Choi
C
C
Lee
M C
MC
Park
C S
CS
Juhng
S W
SW
Min
K W
KW
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2