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

Park, Seong Jae; Lee, Seon Kyung; Lee, Joo Hee; Kim, Seung Bo

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.