Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and VEGF in human glioma and its role

Objective To evaluate the expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2),vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and factor Ⅷ in 62 surgically removed human gliomas and the role of COX-2 in human glioma.Methods By using immunohistochemistry,the expression of COX-2,VEGF and factor Ⅷ in human glioma was detected.Results In the low grade astrocytoma,COX-2 was low and the tumor cells were mainly light-stained.COX-2 was strongly expressed in glioblastoma.COX-2 expression in anaplastic astrocytoma was moderate in contrast to the low grade astrocytoma and glioblastoma.COX-2 was positively correlated with glioma (r=0.874,P0.01).The immunoreactive score of COX-2 and VEGF,also the MVD were higher in glioblastoma than in anaplastic and low-grade astrocytoma.COX-2 was positively correlated with VEGF (r=0.457?8,P0.01) and MVD (r=0.391?8,P~0.01). Conclusion Immunohistochemical determination of COX-2 expression cell types helps to understand possible roles of COX-2 in tumor tissues.Also COX-2 enhances the expression of VEGF and Factor Ⅷ.This evidence suggests that COX-2 expression in the glioma could be associated with astrocytoma progression and also stimulation of angiogenesis.COX-2 is the promotor of the human glioma.