环氧化酶-2在鼻咽癌中的表达及其临床意义

目的 探讨环氧化酶-2(COX-2)在鼻咽癌中的表达情况及其与淋巴结转移的关系和可能机制。方法 应用免疫组织化学方法(SABC法)，检测62例鼻咽癌病人(其中颈部淋巴结转移者18例)中COX-2、VEGF的表达和微血管密度(MVD)。结果 COX-2在鼻咽癌中有高度表达，其表达阳性率为77．42％，且与鼻咽癌中VEGF表达、微血管密度和颈淋巴结转移密切相关(P＜0．01)。结论 COX-2的高度表达在鼻咽癌的发生、发展及淋巴结转移中起重要作用，且这种作用可能通过上调VEGF的表达来实现的。

Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its significance

Objective To investigate the relationship of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression with lymph node metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and the possible mechanisms. Methods Levels of COX-2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and microvessel density (MVD) in 62 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (18 patients with lymph node metastasis) were measured by immunohistochemistry (SABC method). Results The positive rate of COX-2 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma was 77.42%. COX-2 expression was closely associated with VEGF expression, MVD, and lymph node metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (P<0.01). Conclusion The overexpression of COX-2 may play a crucial role in the carcinogenesis and development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and lymph node metastasis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma by means of up-regulating the expression of VEGF.