ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the expressions of cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2 ),vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),matrix metalloproteinase (MMP2 )and micro-vessel density (MVD)in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)and the relationship between their expressions and clinicopathological features,so as to evaluate the malignancy and prognosis of PTC.Methods The expressions of COX-2,MMP2 and VEGF and MVD count in 32 cases of PTC and 18 cases of normal thyroid tissues were detected by immunohistochemical staining.Their relationship with clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed.Results ① The expression of COX-2,MMP2, VEGF and MVD in PTC was as follows:M(Q 3 -Q 1 )=5(1),M(Q 3 -Q 1 )=5.5(2),M(Q 3 -Q 1 )=5.5(1)and M (Q 3 -Q 1 )= 28 (5.75 ),respectively.It differed significantly from that in control group (P 0.5).Conclusion The high expressions of COX-2, VEGF and MMP2 in thyroid tissues may result in the occurrence of PTC and lymph node metastasis,which is related to the regulation of tumor new vessels.Detecting these expressions are of value in evaluating the malignancy and prognosis of PTC.