Expression of COX-2 in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissue

Aim: To investigate the role of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) in carcinogenesis,metastasis and angiogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods:The expression of COX-2 was examined using immunohistochemical staining in 20 cases of normal mucosa,12 cases of dysplasia biopsy and 41 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma samples, and microvessel density(MVD) of carcinoma samples was observed using immunohistochemical staining.Results:The positive rates of COX-2 in normal esophageal mucosa, mild dysplasia, severe dysplasia,and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were 0,1/6,3/6,and 22/41,respectively, which increased consequently(P0.05).Among different differentiated grade and invasive depth carcinoma tissue,there were no significant differences in the positive rates of COX-2(P 0.05 ),but significant differences were found between the group with lymph node metastasis and that without(P0.05).In carcinoma group with COX-2 GAAB2 positive expression, the mean MVD was (39.27±14.80), which was higher than that ( 22.21± 7.97) of COX-2-negative group(P0.05).Conclusion: Expression of COX-2 may play a role at the early phase of carcinogenesis,and may be related with lymph node metastasis and angiogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and but not with the differentiated grade and invasive depth of the tumor.