Correlation of cyclooxygenase-2 pathway and VEGF expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

  • Authors:
    • Sung-Chul Lim
    • Sung-Yong Park
    • Nam-Yong Do
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: September 1, 2003     https://doi.org/10.3892/or.10.5.1073
  • Pages: 1073-1079
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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in relation to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and lymph node metastasis. COX-2 has an important role in the promotion of carcinogenesis, tumor invasiveness and angiogenesis. VEGF is a proangiogenic factor that is up-regulated in various tumors. VEGF has been shown to interact with COX-derived prostaglandins in angiogenesis. To better understand the roles of these genes in HNSCC, we evaluated the immunohistochemical expression pattern of COX-2 and VEGF in relationship with histologic differentiation, clinical stage, and nodal status in 146 HNSCC. The COX-2/VEGF double immunofluorescein staining was evaluated with confocal scanning laser microscope. A positive expression was seen in 96% (140/146: 98 strong positive, 42 weakly positive) for COX-2 and in 98% (143/146: 63 strong positive, 80 weakly positive) for VEGF in HNSCC. A correlation was present in the positive expression of COX-2 with histologic differentiation, clinical stage, and nodal status. VEGF expression was also correlated with nodal status. A significant relation was observed between COX-2 and VEGF expressions. The simultaneous expression of COX-2 and VEGF was statistically significant (p<0.05). These results indicate that elevated COX-2 or VEGF expression is more common in HNSCC with poor prognostic characteristics. The present findings support the efforts to initiate clinical trials on the efficacy of COX-2 inhibitors in adjuvant treatment of HNSCC.

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September-October 2003
Volume 10 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1021-335X
Online ISSN:1791-2431

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Spandidos Publications style
Lim S, Park S and Do N: Correlation of cyclooxygenase-2 pathway and VEGF expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oncol Rep 10: 1073-1079, 2003
APA
Lim, S., Park, S., & Do, N. (2003). Correlation of cyclooxygenase-2 pathway and VEGF expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oncology Reports, 10, 1073-1079. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.10.5.1073
MLA
Lim, S., Park, S., Do, N."Correlation of cyclooxygenase-2 pathway and VEGF expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma". Oncology Reports 10.5 (2003): 1073-1079.
Chicago
Lim, S., Park, S., Do, N."Correlation of cyclooxygenase-2 pathway and VEGF expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma". Oncology Reports 10, no. 5 (2003): 1073-1079. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.10.5.1073