Correlation of the Expression of COX-2 and VEGF in Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinomas / 대한산부인과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to know the potential of growth, invasion and metastasis of uterine cervical cancer associated with neovascularization and to investigate whether the enhanced COX-2 (Cyclooxygenase-2) and VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) expression is showed through CIS to invasive cervical cancer and to examine that COX-2 and VEGF expressions are associated with prognostically worse pathological variables and had a direct correlation with tumor MVD (microvessel density). METHODS: From January 1999 to December 2001, 45 paraffin-embedded cervical specimens were obtained by surgical resection in the Kyung Hee University Medical Center. The study group included 25 cases in invasive squamous carcinomas, 7 cases in microinvasive carcinoma, 9 cases in carcinoma in situ, 4 cases in the benign uterine diseases. All tissues were subjected to immunohistochemical staining for COX-2, VEGF and microvessel density (MVD), and immunostaining was scored using a four-point scale with (0) indicating no expression, (1) light staining, (2) moderate staining, (3) heavy staining. RESULTS: As the cervical tumorigenesis progressed, there was a significant increase of MVC (microvessel count) and COX-2 expression. There is a significant correlation between COX-2 and VEGF expression (r(s)=0.686, p<0.01) in cervical neoplasms. There was no correlation between COX-2, VEGF expression and clinicopathologic factors in cervical caner. CONCLUSION: These findings provide evidence that the expression of COX-2 and VEGF is involved in the promotion of angiogenesis in cervical neoplasms and plays an important role in early invasion.