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Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in astrocytomas. Relationship with microvascular parameters, angiogenic factors expression and survival

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Abstract

Objective

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is the enzyme isoform involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxane from arachidonic acid. The role of the up-regulation of COX-2 in the formation and progression of gliomas has been dealt with in earlier reports, which describe increased levels of PGs within gliomas. In the present study, we examined the expression of COX-2 in diffuse gliomas of astrocytic origin in relation to microvascular parameters, angiogenic factors and survival.

Materials and methods

A total of 83 cases of diffuse astrocytomas (grade II–IV) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for the presence of COX-2.

Results

COX-2 expression was detected in 79 cases (95%) with an increased expression in grade IV as compared to grades II/III (p = 0.024). A positive correlation occurred between COX-2 and angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (p < 0.0001) and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α (p = 0.005), as well as the tumours’ proliferative activity (expressed as the percentage of Ki-67 positive cells) (p = 0.032), and total vascular area (TVA) (p = 0.040). In univariate analysis, COX-2 was associated with shortened survival (p = 0.050). Multivariate survival analysis showed that the interaction model of COX-2 with grade along with age were the only significant prognostic indicators.

Conclusion

These results implicate COX-2 in the angiogenesis and biological aggressiveness of diffuse astrocytomas, and suggest that it would be worthwhile to examine how the inhibition of COX-2 expression may influence astrocytoma patients’ survival.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Marina Perdiki, Penelope Korkolopoulou, Irene Thymara, George Agrogiannis, Xenophon Kotsiakis, Dimitrios Angelidakis & Efstratios Patsouris

  2. Department of Biological Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Christina Piperi

  3. Department of Neurosurgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Efstathios Boviatsis

  4. Department of Pathology, Asklepeion Hospital, Athens, Greece

    Kalliopi Diamantopoulou & Euphemia Thomas-Tsagli

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  1. Marina Perdiki
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  2. Penelope Korkolopoulou
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  3. Irene Thymara
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Correspondence to Marina Perdiki.

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Marina Perdiki and Penelope Korkolopoulou equally contributed to the conception and writing of this manuscript.

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Perdiki, M., Korkolopoulou, P., Thymara, I. et al. Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in astrocytomas. Relationship with microvascular parameters, angiogenic factors expression and survival. Mol Cell Biochem 295, 75–83 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-006-9275-7

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