두경부 편평세포암에서 COX-2, VEGF-C 및 CD133 발현

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are characterized by a marked propensity for local invasion and cervical lymph node metastasis. Cycloxygenase (COX)-2 has an important role in the promotion of carcinogenesis, tumor invasiveness and angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C is a potent lymphangiogenic factor produced by tumor and stromal cells. CD133 has been shown to be a marker for cancer stem cells in various cancers. However, little is known about the roles of COX-2, VEGF-C and CD133 in HNSCC. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of COX-2, VEGF-C and CD133 in tumor samples of 146 HNSCC patients, and to study a possible correlation to various clinicopathologic parameters. The expression of COX-2, VEGF-C and CD133 was analyzed in the same paraffin embedded tissue by semiquantitative immunohistochemical staining. There were positive expression in 96% of COX-2, 57% of VEGF-C and 100% of CD133 in HNSCC. There were statistically significant correlation of positive expression of COX-2 with tumor differentiation, clinical stage and lymph node metastasis (p<0.05, respectively). Significant correlation was observed between VEGF-C and clinical stage and lymph node metastasis (p<0.05, respectively). High expression of CD133 had statistically significant correlation with tumor differentiation, clinical stage and lymph node metastasis (p<0.005, p<0.05, p<0.05, respectively). Significant correlation was observed between COX-2 and VEGF-C, and CD133 and VEGF-C (p<0.005, p<0.05, respectively). These results indicate that elevated COX-2, VEGF-C or CD133 expression is more common in HNSCC with advanced stage or positive lymph node metastasis. ---------------------------------------------------------------Key Words: COX-2, VEGF-C, CD133, Head and neck neoplasm, Squamous cell carcinoma, Prognosis