H Toyoki1, J Fujimoto, E Sato, H Sakaguchi, T Tamaya. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gifu University School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu City 501-1194, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis is essential for development, growth and advancement of solid tumors. Cyclooxygenase (cox)-2 is recognized as an angiogenic factor in various tumors. This prompted us to study the clinical implications of cox-2 expression and angiogenesis in uterine endometrial cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients underwent curative resection for uterine endometrial cancers. In uterine endometrial cancers, cox-2 levels were determined by enzyme immunoassay, and the localization and counts of microvessels were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between microvessel counts and cox-2 levels in uterine endometrial cancers. Cox-2 localized in the cancer cells, but not in the stromal cells of uterine endometrial cancer tissues. Cox-2 levels decreased with the advancement. Furthermore, cox-2 levels significantly correlated with VEGF levels in uterine endometrial cancers. CONCLUSIONS: VEGF associated with cox-2 might work on angiogenesis at an early status in growth. Therefore, long-term administration of cox-2 inhibitors might be effective in the suppression of recurrent initiation of uterine endometrial cancers after curative resection.
BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis is essential for development, growth and advancement of solid tumors. Cyclooxygenase (cox)-2 is recognized as an angiogenic factor in various tumors. This prompted us to study the clinical implications of cox-2 expression and angiogenesis in uterine endometrial cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients underwent curative resection for uterine endometrial cancers. In uterine endometrial cancers, cox-2 levels were determined by enzyme immunoassay, and the localization and counts of microvessels were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between microvessel counts and cox-2 levels in uterine endometrial cancers. Cox-2 localized in the cancer cells, but not in the stromal cells of uterine endometrial cancer tissues. Cox-2 levels decreased with the advancement. Furthermore, cox-2 levels significantly correlated with VEGF levels in uterine endometrial cancers. CONCLUSIONS:VEGF associated with cox-2 might work on angiogenesis at an early status in growth. Therefore, long-term administration of cox-2 inhibitors might be effective in the suppression of recurrent initiation of uterine endometrial cancers after curative resection.
Authors: Takiko Daikoku; Yasushi Hirota; Susanne Tranguch; Ayesha R Joshi; Francesco J DeMayo; John P Lydon; Lora H Ellenson; Sudhansu K Dey Journal: Cancer Res Date: 2008-07-15 Impact factor: 12.701