Role of vascular endothelial growth factor-C and cyclooxygenase-2 in lymph node metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression of VEGF-C and COX-2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC),and its correlation with lymph node metastasis.Methods The expressions of COX-2 and VEGF-C were examined in 60 cases of OSCC,23 cases of precancerous change and 19 benign lesion specimens by immunohistochemical S-P method.Results Compared with those in benign and precancerous change,the expressions of VEGF-C and COX-2 were significantly higher in OSCC(P0.05).The expression of VEGF-C was significantly correlated with lymphatic metastasis(P0.01);COX-2 was sisnificantly cerrelated with clinical stage and lymphatic metastasis(P0.05),but not with the age and gender of the patient,and site or differentiation of the lesions.The expression of COX-2 was positively correlated with that of VEGF-C(P0.01).Conclusion COX-2 may participate in VEGF-C lymphangiogenic pathway and play an important role in the lymph node metastasis of OSCC.