The relationship between cyclooxygenase-2 expression and tumor angiogenesis in human breast cancer

Objective: To study the relationship between cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and tumor angiogenesis in human breast cancer. Methods: Archival primary breast carcinomas (n = 62), adjacent DCIS (n = 13) and DCIS alone (n = 5) were analyzed for COX-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expressions by immunohistochemistry using specific monoclonal antibodies. We also examined the microvascular density (MVD) , using CD34 staining. Results: A significant correlation was found between COX-2 and VEGF expressions (P<0.05). Both COX-2 and VEGF were significantly correlated with MVD. COX-2 and VEGF genes were overexpressed in tumor specimens as compared with normal epithelia. Conclusion: COX-2 is related to tumor angiogenesis in breast cancer. It is likely that VEGF is one of the most important mediators of the COX-2 angiogenic pathway.