ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma and their correlation with clinicobiological behavior.MethodsThe expression of COX-2 and VEGF in 51 cases of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were detected with immunohistochemistry of Envision.ResultsExpression of COX-2 and VEGF in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were 74.5% and 68.6%, respectively; no expression of COX-2 and VEGF in adjacent normal tissue was detected. Both COX-2 and VEGF expression in clinical stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ were much higher than those in clinical stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ, and also higher in positive group of lymph node metastasis than in negative group as well (Plt;0.05). None of them had relation with histological grades, age, sex, tumor size and location. The expression of COX-2 was closely correlated with VEGF (r=0.411, Plt;0.01).ConclusionCOX-2 and VEGF may play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression in pancreatic cancer, they may provide new targets for therapy of pancreatic cancer.
