Correlation of Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression and Microvessel Density with Prognosis in Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Upper Urinary Tract.
10.4111/kju.2007.48.4.376
- Author:
Min Ho CHA
1
;
Dae Sung CHO
;
Hyunee YIM
;
Kang Su CHO
;
Sung Joon HONG
;
Nam Hoon CHO
;
Sun Il KIM
;
Hyun Soo AHN
;
Se Joong KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Urology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. sejoong@ajou.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Cyclooxygenase 2;
Prognosis;
Transitional cell carcinoma;
Urinary tract
- MeSH:
Antibodies;
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell*;
Cyclooxygenase 2*;
Humans;
Microvessels*;
Multivariate Analysis;
Prognosis*;
Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases;
Survival Rate;
Urinary Tract*
- From:Korean Journal of Urology
2007;48(4):376-382
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression and microvessel density (MVD), a reflection of angiogenesis, with prognosis in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (TCC-UUT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of TCC-UUT from 91 patients, who had undergone radical nephroureterectomy, were examined immunohistochemically using antibodies against COX-2 and CD34. MVD was determined with CD34-stained slides. The expression patterns of COX-2 and MVD were compared with the clinicopathological variables. RESULTS: The COX-2 expression was significantly correlated with T stage (p=0.002), N stage (p=0.010), and grade (p=0.027). MVD was also significantly correlated with T stage (p<0.001), N stage (p=0.002), and grade (p=0.001). The COX-2 expression was significantly correlated with MVD (p=0.001). The survival rate of patients with COX-2 positive tumors or high MVD was significantly lower than that of patients with COX-2 negative tumors or low MVD, respectively (p=0.0013, p=0.0312). Univariate analyses identified T stage, N stage, grade, COX-2 expression, and MVD as significant prognostic factors for cancer-specific survival; multivariate analyses indicated that T stage was the only independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS: The increased expression of COX-2 and MVD is associated with a worse prognosis in TCC-UUT. The COX-2 expression is correlated with MVD. These results suggest that COX-2 may play an important role in the progression of TCC-UUT and angiogenesis may be affected by COX-2 during the progression of TCC-UUT.
