Expression of cyclooxygenase-2, vascular endothelial growth factor-c and CD44v6 proteins and its relation with lymphatic metastasis of pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), vascular en-dothelial growth factor-c (VEGF-C) , CD44v6 in pancreatic cancer tissue and its relation with the ctinico-pathologic features. Methods The expression of COX-2, VEGF-C and CD44v6 proteins in 48 cases of pancreatic cancer was detected by immnohistochemical staining. Results The positive rate of COX-2, VEGF-C and CD44v6 protein in pancreatic cancer tissue was 79.2% ,58.3%, and 62.5%, respectively, which was higher than in adjacent tissues (0/14) ( P 0.05 ), but that of VEGF-C and CD44V6 remarkably with lymph node metastasis ( P 0.05 ). Conclusion The expres-sion of COX-2, VEGF-C and CD44v6 in pancreatic cancer tissue might play a role in lymphatic metastasis via lymphangiogenesis. Key words: Pancreatic neoplasm; Cyclooxygenase-2; Vascular endothelial growth factor