Correlation between the cyclooxygenase-2 expression and tumor interstitial vascular density in transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder

Abstract

Objective To investigate the role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and microvascular density (MVD) in the tumorigenesis and progression of transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder (BTCC), and their clinical significance. Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to study COX-2 and the tumor interstitial vascular density in 103 cases of BTCC, 13 cases of normal bladder tissues and 21 cases of chronic cystitis tissues. Results The COX-2 positive expression rate in BTCC was 70.9% (73/103), and that in chronic cystitis and normal bladder tissues was negative. The expression of COX-2 in BTCC was positively correlated to the tumor interstitial vascular density. Both of them were related to the tumor pathologic grade, the invasion of the tumor tissue, the lymphatic metastasis and recurrence of tumor ( P 0. 05 ). Conclusion COX-2 was overexpressed in BTCC and played an important role in oncogenesis, development and recurrence of BTCC.The expression of COX-2 was positively related to the tumor vascularization. Key words: Bladder neoplasms; Cyclooxygenase