The correlation between VEGF-C and COX-2 expression in human rectal cancers and its role in lymph node metastasis / 中国普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the correlation between VEGF-C and COX-2 expression in human rectal cancers and its significance in cancer metastasis. Methods VEGF-C expression was detected with Western blot in LOVO cells treated with NS-398 or PGE2. VEGF-C and COX-2 expression in 45 rectal adenocarcinomas was tested with immunohistochemistry. Results NS-398 inhibited the VEGF-C expression, and PGE2 up-regulated the expression of VEGF-C in a dosage-dependent way in LOVO cells. VEGF-C expression was significantly higher in adenocarcinomas with lymph node metastasis, and was related with the expression of COX-2 in 45 rectal adenocarcinomas. Conclusion COX-2 up-regulates VEGF-C and VEGF-C plays an important role in lymphatic metastasis of rectal cancers.