Cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression is associated with vascular endothelial growth factor C expression and lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Cervical lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is recognized as a poor prognostic factor, although its mechanism remains unclear. Recently, cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) level has been found to correlate highly with vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) and lymph node metastasis, as in other solid tumors. However, there has been no report of this correlation in OSCC. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether COX-2 immunohistochemical expression in OSCC was associated with VEGF-C expression, histopathologic parameters, and lymph node metastasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Lymphatic vessel density, VEGF-C, and COX-2 immunohistochemical expression were examined pathologically in 60 specimens of invasive OSCC. Relations of histopathologic parameters to lymph node metastasis were analyzed.

RESULTS:

Expression levels of VEGF-C and COX-2 and lymphatic vessel density in the lymph node metastatic group were significantly higher than in the nonmetastatic group (P < .01). A significant correlation was found between the expression levels of VEGF-C and COX-2 (r = 0.512; P < .001). COX-2 expression was significantly related to lymph node metastasis (P = .004) and VEGF-C expression (P = .005). Univariate analysis showed that survival time was impaired by higher COX-2 and VEGF-C expression levels. Multivariate survival analysis showed that COX-2 expression was an independent prognostic factor.

CONCLUSION:

This study showed that VEGF-C expression was upregulated by COX-2 in OSCC. High VEGF-C expression appears to promote peritumoral lymphangiogenesis. These data indicated that lymph node metastasis is promoted by COX-2 and VEGF-C in OSCC.

• Authors: Michihide Kono, Masato Watanabe, Harutsugi Abukawa, On Hasegawa, Takafumi Satomi, Daichi Chikazu
• Journal: Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (J Oral Maxillofac Surg) Vol. 71 Issue 10 Pg. 1694-702 (Oct 2013) ISSN: 1531-5053 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23809761 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C
• monoclonal antibody D2-40
• Cyclooxygenase 2
• PTGS2 protein, human

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived (analysis)
• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (enzymology, pathology, secondary)
• Cyclooxygenase 2 (analysis)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Lymphangiogenesis (physiology)
• Lymphatic Metastasis (pathology)
• Lymphatic Vessels (pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mouth Neoplasms (pathology)
• Neoplasm Invasiveness
• Neoplasm Staging
• Prognosis
• Survival Rate
• Tongue Neoplasms (enzymology, pathology)
• Up-Regulation
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C (analysis)