Expression and its significance of cyclooxygenase-2 in human renal cell carcinoma

Objective To study the relationship between the expression of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) and the carcinogenesis and biological behavior of renal cell carcinoma(RCC). Methods COX-2 expression and microvascular density(MVD) were investigated in 120 cases of RCC specimens and 25 cases of normal kidney tissues by using SP immunohistochemical method. Results The expression of COX-2 was positive in tumor tissues(36.7%) but negative in normal kidney tissues. The expression rate of COX-2 was significantly correlated to the grades and stages of kidney tumors. MVD was higher in patients with COX-2 positive expression than that in patients with COX-2 negative expression(84 ± 18 vs 35 ± 10, t = 19.19, P 0.01). Conclusions The highly increased expression of COX-2 in RCC may promote the development of tumor through its stimulating angiogenesis. So, the inhibition of COX-2 expression may become an alternative method to treat RCC.