Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 related to angiogenesis in uterine cervical cancers.
Angiogenesis is essential for development, growth and advancement of solid tumors. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is recognized as an angiogenic factor in various tumors. This prompted us to study the clinical implications of COX-2 expression related to angiogenesis in uterine cervical cancers. There was a significant correlation between microvessel counts and COX-2 levels in uterine cervical cancers. COX-2 localized in the cancer cells, but not in the stromal cells of uterine cervical cancer tissues. COX-2 levels increased with advancement, and the prognosis of the 30 patients with high COX-2 expression in uterine cervical cancers was poor (60%), while the 24-month survival rate of the other 30 patients with low COX-2 expression was 90%. Furthermore, COX-2 levels significantly correlated with VEGF levels in uterine cervical cancers. VEGF associated with COX-2 might work on angiogenesis in advancement. Therefore, long-term administration of COX-2 inhibitors might be effective on the suppression of regrowth or recurrence after intensive treatment for advanced uterine cervical cancers.
Fujimoto
Jiro
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gifu University School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu City, 501-1194, Japan. jf@cc.gifu-u.ac.jp
Toyoki
Hiroshi
H
Sato
Eriko
E
Sakaguchi
Hideki
H
Jahan
Israt
I
Alam
Syed Mahfuzul
SM
Tamaya
Teruhiko
T
D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D015996:Survival Rate; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology
D016207:Cytokines; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2