Expression and Implication of Cyclooxygenase-2VEGF in Bladder Transition Cell Carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in bladder transitional cell carcinoma(TCC),and analyze the correlation between COX-2 and VEGF,the relationship of their protein expression and histopathological gradeclinical stage. Methods The immunohistochemical method was used to determine the expression of COX-2 and VEGF in 41 paraffin embedded samples of TCC,and in 6 normal bladder specimens respectively. Results The percentage of COX-2 and VEGF protein positive expression was 68% and 61% in TCC respectively,no marked expression of their protein in normal bladder. The positive expressions of COX-2 and VEGF were correlated with histopathological grade and clinical stage (P0.05). There was positive correlation between the expressions of COX-2 and VEGF (P0.05). Conclusion COX-2 and VEGF protein in TCC play an important role in the tumorgenesis and malignant progress, both have close relation in angiogenesis and may provide new targets for therapy of TCC.