The correlation between cyclooxygenase-2 expression and tumor angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective:To explore the correlation between up-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) expression and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) angiogenesis. Methods:The expression of COX-2 and Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were examined in eighty cases matched sets of HCC specimens using immunohistochemistry. Weidner analysis system was used to assess the microvessel density(MVD)as a percentage of the endothelial area. Results:The expression rate of COX-2 and VEGF was 75.0% (60/80), 62.5%(50/80), respectively. Immunohistochemical staining scores of VEGF was 5.98±1.16 in strongly positive group of COX-2, and which was 3.30±0.22 in moderately and weakly positive group of COX-2. The expression rates of VEGF was 71.43%(25/35) in strongly positive group of COX-2, and which was 28.00%(7/25) in moderately and weakly positive group of COX-2. There was significant difference in HCC angiogenesis in two groups (P0.01), and COX-2 was significantly correlated with VEGF (P0.01). MVD was 73.18±12.43 and 33.42±7.52 in strongly positive group of COX-2 and moderately and weakly positive group of COX-2, respectively. There was significant difference in MVD(P0.01), and COX-2 was significantly correlated with MVD(P0.01). Conclusions:Up-regulation of COX-2 expression correlates with tumor angiogenesis in HCC.