Expression and significance of cyclooxygenase-2 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective:To investigate the expression and significance of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2),hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods:In situ hybridization assay was utilized to detect the expression of COX-2mRNA and HIF-1αmRNA in 48 cases of human HCC tissues.SP Immunohistochemistry method was utilized to determine microvessel density(MVD) by marking the vascular endothelial cells with anti-CD34 antibody.Results:The positive rate of COX-2mRNA in HCC was significantly higher than that in normal liver tissues(P0.05).COX-2mRNA expression was significantly correlated with tumor number,venous invasion,lymph node metastasis,clinical classification(P0.05).The positive rate of HIF-1αmRNA in HCC was significantly higher than that in normal liver tissues(P0.05).HIF-1αmRNA expression was significantly correlated with tumor differentiation grade,capsule formation,venous invasion,lymph node metastasis,clinical classification(P0.05).The expression of COX-2mRNA and HIF-1αmRNA was positively correlated with MVD(P0.05).There was a positive correlation between the expression of COX-2mRNA and HIF-1αmRNA(P0.05).Conclusion:COX-2 and HIF-1α may play important roles during the process of genesis,progression,invasion and metastasis in HCC.They can promote angiogenesis.Furthermore,they have synergistic effect.