Nesreen H Hafez1, Neveen S Tahoun2. 1. Department of Pathology, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University, Egypt. Electronic address: nesreennci@hotmail.com. 2. Department of Pathology, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University, Egypt.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers and the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Identification of specific prognostic indicators might allow a better prognostic stratification and more effective therapy. AIM: To assess the expression and relationship between COX-2 and VEGF protein in gastric adenocarcinoma and whether these markers are useful in predicting clinicopathological prognostic parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 83 formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue samples of excised gastric adenocarcinoma and 20 non tumorous tissue controls. The slides were subjected to COX-2 and VEGF immunohistochemical staining using a streptavidin-biotinperoxidase according to the manufacturer's protocol. The results were assessed independently by two pathologists. The relationships among COX-2 and VEGF expression and clinicopathological parameters were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: COX-2 and VEGF expressions were obviously higher in carcinoma tissues compared to normal mucosae (p<0.001). The expression rate of COX-2 was 54.2% and of VEGF was 68.7%. COX-2 positive tumors were significantly correlated with Lauren classification, tumor depth and Helicobacter pylori infection (p<0.001, p=0.008, p=0.035). VEGF was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis and tumor depth (p<0.001). There was a positive association between VEGF and COX-2 expression in gastric adenocarcinoma (Kappa value=0.55). CONCLUSION: In gastric adenocarcinoma, COX-2 expression might serve as a powerful indicator for intestinal type carcinoma, locally advanced disease and H. pylori infection, while VEGF was related to loco-regional progression. COX-2 might be involved in the development of angiogenesis in gastric carcinoma through VEGF upregulation.
BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers and the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Identification of specific prognostic indicators might allow a better prognostic stratification and more effective therapy. AIM: To assess the expression and relationship between COX-2 and VEGF protein in gastric adenocarcinoma and whether these markers are useful in predicting clinicopathological prognostic parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 83 formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue samples of excised gastric adenocarcinoma and 20 non tumorous tissue controls. The slides were subjected to COX-2 and VEGF immunohistochemical staining using a streptavidin-biotinperoxidase according to the manufacturer's protocol. The results were assessed independently by two pathologists. The relationships among COX-2 and VEGF expression and clinicopathological parameters were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: COX-2 and VEGF expressions were obviously higher in carcinoma tissues compared to normal mucosae (p<0.001). The expression rate of COX-2 was 54.2% and of VEGF was 68.7%. COX-2 positive tumors were significantly correlated with Lauren classification, tumor depth and Helicobacter pylori infection (p<0.001, p=0.008, p=0.035). VEGF was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis and tumor depth (p<0.001). There was a positive association between VEGF and COX-2 expression in gastric adenocarcinoma (Kappa value=0.55). CONCLUSION: In gastric adenocarcinoma, COX-2 expression might serve as a powerful indicator for intestinal type carcinoma, locally advanced disease and H. pyloriinfection, while VEGF was related to loco-regional progression. COX-2 might be involved in the development of angiogenesis in gastric carcinoma through VEGF upregulation.
Authors: Taíssa Maíra Thomaz Araújo; Williams Fernandes Barra; André Salim Khayat; Paulo Pimentel de Assumpção Journal: Chin J Cancer Res Date: 2017-04 Impact factor: 5.087