Relationship Between Cyclooxygenase-2 Overexpression and Angiogenesis in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Objective: To evaluate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) and its association with microvessel density(MVD), and to investigate the relationship between COX-2 expression and angiogenesis in renal cell carcinoma(RCC). Methods: Expressions of COX-2 and CD34 were examined immunohistochemically on samples from 74 patients with RCC. The correlations between COX-2 expression and MVD or clinicopathologic findings were determined. Results: Of 74 samples, 53 were positive for COX-2 expression. COX-2 expression was related to tumor stage, grade and cell type of RCC(P= 0.001,and P=0.022, P=0.039, respectively). No relationship was found between COX-2 expression and tumor size(P=0.605). MVD on specimen in stage Ⅳ and grade 3 was significantly decreased compared with MVD in lower stage/grade(P=0.024/P0.001). MVD for negative and positive COX-2 expression were significantly different(P= 0.001). However, MVD was not positively correlated with the intensity of immunostaining of COX-2. Conclusion: Angiogenesis of renal cell carcinoma may be associated with expression of COX-2.