Correlation of expressions of COX-2 and VEGF with angiogenesis in gastric carcinoma

Objective: To investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) in gastric carcinoma and its relation with the microvessel density (MVD). Methods: The expressions of COX-2, VEGF and MVD of gastric carcinoma were studied by immunohistochemical method in 45 surgical resected specimens. Results: The positive rates of COX-2, VEGF and MVD in gastric carcinoma were significantly higher than those in paracancerous tissues. The MVD in COX-2(+) (61. 29±14.31) and VEGF(+) (60.07±15.86) tumors was significantly higher than that in COX-2(-) and VEGF(-) tumors (45.38±12.42; 43.06±18.91, respectively, P<0.05), and MVD (62. 46±14.34, P<0.05) in both COX-2 (+) and VEGF(+) tumors was significantly higher than that in the other subgroups. A close correlation was found between MVD and COX-2 (P<0.01), and VEGF expression was correlated with both COX-2 expression and MVD (P<0.01). Conclusion COX-2 expression might correlate with tumor angiogenesis in gastric carcinoma. It is likely that VEGF is one of the most important mediators of the COX-2 angiogenic pathway.