Department of Breast, Gynecologic and Perinatal Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Leipzig, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Ann Diagn Pathol. 2009 Dec;13(6):373-7. doi: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2009.08.001.
There is a suggested pathogenetic role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in endometriosis via angiogenesis and proproliferative mechanisms. The aim of the study was to investigate the immunohistochemical COX-2 expression in different anatomical sites of endometriosis and its correlation to proliferative activity and periendometriotic vascularization. Sixty endometrioses from different sites (ovarian, uterine, and peritoneal) were evaluated immunohistochemically for COX-2 expression. Cyclooxygenase-2 staining of 75% or more of the cells was defined as COX-2 overexpression and used as cutoff. Proliferative activity was determined by performing Ki-67-labeling index. Periendometriotic vascularization was evaluated by determining microvessel density surrounding the endometriotic focus using CD-34-immunostaining. Cyclooxygenase-2 overexpression was significant more frequent in ovarian endometriosis, when compared with uterine and peritoneal localization (70.8% versus 41.7%; P = .027). There was no significant correlation between COX-2 overexpression and perifocal neovascularization (P = .49). Endometriotic lesions with COX-2 overexpression represented reduced proliferative activity (P = .055). Cyclooxygenase-2 is expressed in the majority of endometriosis, but differences exist within the frequency of overexpression at different anatomical sites of the endometriosis. Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors are of clinical interest as treatment options.
环氧化酶-2（COX-2）在子宫内膜异位症中通过血管生成和促增殖机制发挥着潜在的致病作用。本研究旨在探讨子宫内膜异位症不同解剖部位中 COX-2 的免疫组织化学表达及其与增殖活性和周围血管化的相关性。对来自不同部位（卵巢、子宫和腹膜）的 60 个子宫内膜异位症进行 COX-2 表达的免疫组织化学评估。将细胞 COX-2 染色≥75%定义为 COX-2 过表达，并用作截断值。通过对子宫内膜异位症病灶周围的 CD-34 免疫染色来评估周围血管化，并用 Ki-67 标记指数来确定增殖活性。与子宫和腹膜定位相比，卵巢子宫内膜异位症中 COX-2 过表达明显更为常见（70.8%比 41.7%；P =.027）。COX-2 过表达与周围新生血管化之间无显著相关性（P =.49）。COX-2 过表达的子宫内膜异位症病变代表增殖活性降低（P =.055）。COX-2 在大多数子宫内膜异位症中表达，但在不同解剖部位的过表达频率存在差异。环氧化酶-2 抑制剂作为治疗选择具有临床意义。
