[Expression of COX-2 and VEGF and their correlation with angiogenesis in human clear cell renal cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of COX-2 and VEGF in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) and their correlation with tumor angiogenesis.

METHODS

Envision immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of COX-2 and VEGF, and microvessel density (MVD) was marked by CD34 in 80 CCRCC tissues and 20 normal kidney tissues. The relationship between the above mentioned markers were analyzed.

RESULTS

Expressions of COX-2 and VEGF were noted in both CCRCC and normal kidney tissues. The positive rates of COX-2 and VEGF were significantly higher in CCRCC than in normal kidney (P < 0.05); The expression of COX-2 was correlated with TNM stage (P < 0.05), histological grade (P < 0.05) and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05) in CCRCC, but not with age (P = 0.663) and diameter of tumor (P = 0.528). Both COX-2 expression (r = 0.851, P < 0.01) and VEGF expression (r = 0.736, P < 0.01) were significantly associated with MVD in CCRCC. There was a positive correlation between expression of cox-2 and that of VEGF in CCRCC.

CONCLUSION

COX-2 expression is correlated with tumor angiogenesis in CCRCC. It is likely that VEGF is one of the most important mediators in the COX-2 angiogenic pathway.