Cyclooxygenase-2 expression, Ki-67 labeling index, and perifocal neovascularization in endometriotic lesions.
There is a suggested pathogenetic role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in endometriosis via angiogenesis and proproliferative mechanisms. The aim of the study was to investigate the immunohistochemical COX-2 expression in different anatomical sites of endometriosis and its correlation to proliferative activity and periendometriotic vascularization. Sixty endometrioses from different sites (ovarian, uterine, and peritoneal) were evaluated immunohistochemically for COX-2 expression. Cyclooxygenase-2 staining of 75% or more of the cells was defined as COX-2 overexpression and used as cutoff. Proliferative activity was determined by performing Ki-67-labeling index. Periendometriotic vascularization was evaluated by determining microvessel density surrounding the endometriotic focus using CD-34-immunostaining. Cyclooxygenase-2 overexpression was significant more frequent in ovarian endometriosis, when compared with uterine and peritoneal localization (70.8% versus 41.7%; P = .027). There was no significant correlation between COX-2 overexpression and perifocal neovascularization (P = .49). Endometriotic lesions with COX-2 overexpression represented reduced proliferative activity (P = .055). Cyclooxygenase-2 is expressed in the majority of endometriosis, but differences exist within the frequency of overexpression at different anatomical sites of the endometriosis. Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors are of clinical interest as treatment options.
Horn
Lars-Christian
LC
Department of Breast, Gynecologic and Perinatal Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Leipzig, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany. hornl@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Hentschel
Bettina
B
Meinel
Alexandra
A
Alexander
Henry
H
Leo
Cornelia
C
D049109:Cell Proliferation; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism*; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2