• GASTRIC CANCER • Correlation between expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and angiogenesis in human gastric adenocarcinoma

AIM: To evaluate the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and the relationship with tumor angiogenesis and advancement in gastric adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Immunohistochemical stain was used for detecting the expression of COX-2 in 45 resected specimens of gastric adenocarcinoma; the monoclonal antibody against CD34 was used for displaying vascular endothelial cells, and microvascular density (MVD) was detected by counting of CD34-positive vascular endothelial cells. Paracancerous tissues were examined as control. RESULTS: Immunohistological staining with COX-2-specific polyclonal antibody showed cytoplasmic staining in the cancer cells, some atypical hyperplasia and intestinal metaplasia, as well as angiogenic vasculature present within the tumor