Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Its Relation to Angiogenesis and Prognosis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its correlation with clinicopathologic features, angiogenesis, and prognosis. Methods: The expressions of COX-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvascular density (MVD) were determined with immunohistochemical methods in eighty-six NPC patients followed up over 5 years. Results: Sixty-three tumors (73.3%) were classified as COX-2 positive. COX-2 expression was positively related to VEGF expression (r=0.438, P<0.01) and correlated with the tumor pathological grade, extent of primary lesion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and shorter survival. Conclusion: Our results suggest that COX-2, being highly expressed and strongly correlated with angiogenesis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, is apt to be used as a predictor of prognosis, including local recurrence and distant metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]