Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in adenocarcinomas of the uterine cervix and its relation to angiogenesis and tumor growth

• Published in: Gynecologic oncology 2004-12, Vol.95 (3), p.523-529
• Main Authors: Shin Lee, Ji, Duk Choi, Yoo, Hyuk Lee, Jae, Hee Nam, Jong, Choi, Chan, Cheol Lee, Min, Soo Park, Chang, Woo Juhng, Sang, Seok Kim, Hyung, Whan Min, Kyung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma; Adenocarcinoma - blood supply; Adenocarcinoma - enzymology; Adenocarcinoma - pathology; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Angiogenesis; Apoptosis; Apoptosis - physiology; Cell Growth Processes - physiology; Cell proliferation; Cervix; COX-2; Cyclooxygenase 2; Disease Progression; Endothelial Cells - enzymology; Endothelial Cells - pathology; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Isoenzymes - biosynthesis; Membrane Proteins; Middle Aged; Neovascularization, Pathologic - enzymology; Neovascularization, Pathologic - pathology; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases - biosynthesis; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - blood supply; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - enzymology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - pathology
• ISSN: 0090-8258; 1095-6859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2004.08.036

The purpose of this study was to evaluate cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression in adenocarcinomas of the uterine cervix and its correlation with clinicopathologic features, angiogenesis, and tumor growth. Thirty-nine cases of FIGO clinical stage I and II adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix were examined by immunohistochemical studies with anti-COX-2. Microvessels were immunohistochemically labeled with an antibody to CD34. Computerized image analysis was used to evaluate microvessel density (MVD). The apoptotic cells were visualized by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and proliferative cells were visualized by staining with Ki-67 antibody. Twenty-eight tumors (71.8%) were classified as COX-2 positive. COX-2 expression correlated with FIGO stage ( P < 0.01). Tumors expressing COX-2 had a significantly higher MVD and Ki-67 index than those that did not express COX-2 ( P < 0.05). However, COX-2 expression did not correlate with the apoptotic index. In univariate long-rank analysis, COX-2 expression, MVD, and FIGO stage were associated with shortened survival. However, FIGO stage and MVD were the only independent prognostic factors by multivariate analysis. Our results suggest that COX-2 expression in cervical adenocarcinomas may contribute to tumor progression by increasing angiogenesis and cell proliferation.