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

• 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
• ISSN: 0919-6544; 1440-1789
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1789.2007.00828.x

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.