Cyclooxygenase-2 expression, Ki-67 labeling index, and perifocal neovascularization in endometriotic lesions

Lars-Christian Horn, Horn LC, Lars‐Christian Horn, Hentschel B, Bettina Hentschel, Meinel A, Alexandra Meinel, A. Meinel, Henry Alexander, Alexander H, Cornelia Leo, Leo C
Annals of diagnostic pathology · 2009 · vol. 13(6) , pp. 373–377 · doi:10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2009.08.001 · PMID:19917472 · W2046108789
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This study investigated cyclooxygenase-2 expression, Ki-67 labeling index, and perifocal neovascularization within endometriotic lesions to understand their roles in lesion development and proliferation.

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Abstract

There is a suggested pathogenetic role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in endometriosis via angiogenesis and proproliferative mechanisms. The aim of the study was to investigate the immunohistochemical COX-2 expression in different anatomical sites of endometriosis and its correlation to proliferative activity and periendometriotic vascularization. Sixty endometrioses from different sites (ovarian, uterine, and peritoneal) were evaluated immunohistochemically for COX-2 expression. Cyclooxygenase-2 staining of 75% or more of the cells was defined as COX-2 overexpression and used as cutoff. Proliferative activity was determined by performing Ki-67-labeling index. Periendometriotic vascularization was evaluated by determining microvessel density surrounding the endometriotic focus using CD-34-immunostaining. Cyclooxygenase-2 overexpression was significant more frequent in ovarian endometriosis, when compared with uterine and peritoneal localization (70.8% versus 41.7%; P = .027). There was no significant correlation between COX-2 overexpression and perifocal neovascularization (P = .49). Endometriotic lesions with COX-2 overexpression represented reduced proliferative activity (P = .055). Cyclooxygenase-2 is expressed in the majority of endometriosis, but differences exist within the frequency of overexpression at different anatomical sites of the endometriosis. Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors are of clinical interest as treatment options.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Cyclooxygenase 2 Endometriosis Ki-67 Antigen Neovascularization, Pathologic Cell Proliferation Chi-Square Distribution Cyclooxygenase 2 Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Humans Immunohistochemistry Ki-67 Antigen Neovascularization, Pathologic Ovarian Diseases Ovarian Diseases Ovarian Diseases Peritoneal Diseases Peritoneal Diseases Peritoneal Diseases

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Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

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