Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) expression and angiogenesis in glioblastoma

Cyclooxygenase‐2 (Cox‐2), the key enzyme that catalyzes the first steps in the biosynthesis of the prostaglandins from arachidonic acid, appears to play a role in the regulation of progression, invasiveness and angiogenesis of various neoplasms. We analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of Cox‐...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neuropathology 2008-02, Vol.28 (1), p.29-34
Main Authors: Onguru, Onder, Gamsizkan, Mehmet, Ulutin, Cuneyt, Gunhan, Omer
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
angiogenesis
Brain Neoplasms - blood supply
Brain Neoplasms - enzymology
Brain Neoplasms - pathology
Cox-2
Cyclooxygenase 2 - biosynthesis
cyclooxygenase-2
Female
glioblastoma
Glioblastoma - blood supply
Glioblastoma - enzymology
Glioblastoma - pathology
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Kaplan-Meier Estimate
Male
Middle Aged
Neovascularization, Pathologic - pathology
Prognosis
vascular patterns
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Summary:Cyclooxygenase‐2 (Cox‐2), the key enzyme that catalyzes the first steps in the biosynthesis of the prostaglandins from arachidonic acid, appears to play a role in the regulation of progression, invasiveness and angiogenesis of various neoplasms. We analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of Cox‐2 and angiogenic parameters (microvessel density (MVD) and vascular patterns) in 54 glioblastomas. We also examined their relation with prognosis. Cox‐2 immunohistochemical expression was observed in 48 tumors (89%). There was no staining in six tumors (11%). On univariate analysis, MVD was correlated with a poor outcome (MVD > 70; hazard ratio, 0.441; 95% confidence interval, 0.200–0.975, P = 0.041). But MVD showed no prognostic impact on multivariate analysis. Neither Cox‐2 expression nor vascular pattern showed prognostic value. The difference in Cox‐2 expression between the classical and bizarre vascular pattern in glioblastomas was statistically significant (P = 0.047). However, no correlation was found between Cox‐2 expression and MVD. These findings suggest that Cox‐2 is heterogeneously expressed in glioblastomas without a significant association with MVD. However, Cox‐2 expression may be related to vascular pattern in glioblastomas.
ISSN:0919-6544
1440-1789
DOI:10.1111/j.1440-1789.2007.00828.x