Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in ependymoma of the spinal cord.
OBJECTIVE
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), also known as prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase, has been reported to play an important role in the tumorigenicity of many types of tumors. The expression of COX-2 in spinal ependymomas, however, has not been studied. The authors evaluated COX-2 expression in ependymoma of the spinal cord.


METHODS
Sixteen ependymoma samples obtained in patients undergoing surgery between 1995 and 2004 were utilized for immunohistochemical studies to evaluate COX-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Intratumoral microvessels were also stained immunohistochemically using anti-human von Willebrand factor antibody and were quantified to determine the microvessel density (MVD). The clinical features were reviewed and recorded and the association with COX-2 expression was assessed. Seven (43.8%) of the 16 ependymoma specimens expressed COX-2. All three of the myxopapillary-type ependymomas exhibited COX-2-positive staining. Excluding the three myxopapillary-type cases, COX-2 expression was identified in four (30.8%) of 13 cellular-type ependymomas. The COX-2-positive samples exhibited a significant increase in VEGF-positive staining cells and MVD compared with COX-2-negative samples. The clinical features were not associated with COX-2 expression.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study indicate that COX-2 expression may promote angiogenesis through VEGF expression in ependymomas of the spinal cord. It is suggested that the use of selective COX-2 inhibitors may provide a new therapeutic strategy for spinal cord ependymomas due to their inhibition of the COX-2-mediated angiogenesis.
Naruse
Takahiro
T
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nagoya University School and Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan. risa-ryou-shun@msb.biglobe.ne.jp
Matsuyama
Yukihiro
Y
Ishiguro
Naoki
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000201:enzymology; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2