Cyclooxygenase-2 expression is associated with vascular endothelial growth factor-C and lymph node metastases in human prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Recent observations suggest an implication of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in tumor lymphangiogenesis through an upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression. However, it is unclear whether COX-2 is also associated with VEGF-C expression, tumor lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in human prostate cancer.


METHODS
COX-2 and VEGF-C expression were examined in tumor tissues from 58 prostate cancer patients using immunohistochemical staining. We also analyzed the association of COX-2 and VEGF-C expression with tumor lymphangiogenesis quantified as lymphatic vessel density (LVD), lymph node metastasis, and patients' biochemical progression-free survival (b-PFS).


RESULTS
High expression of either COX-2 or VEGF-C was correlated with tumor lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis, as well as poor b-PFS. Moreover, a strong correlation was found between expression of COX-2 and VEGF-C (r = 0.631, p <0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
COX-2 is positively associated with VEGF-C expression, tumor lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis in prostate cancer. These findings suggest that COX-2 may play a pivotal role in lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis of prostate cancer via the regulation of VEGF-C expression.
Di
Jin-Ming
JM
Department of Urology, Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
Zhou
Jing
J
Zhou
Xu-Long
XL
Gao
Xin
X
Shao
Chun-Qui
CQ
Pang
Jun
J
Sun
Qi-Peng
QP
Zhang
Yan
Y
Ruan
Xing-Xing
XX
D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human