The relationship between angiogenesis and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that angiogenesis in prostate cancer is associated with tumour invasion and metastasis, and that this is mediated through increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. PATIENTS AND METHODS Angiogenesis was assessed in 105 patients with either prostate cancer (79) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, 26) and these data correlated with levels of COX-2 expression in the same dataset. The mean microvessel density (MVD) was analysed as a marker of angiogenesis, using the endothelial antigen CD34 stained by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS There was no difference in MVD in progressive tumour stages compared with BPH. There was a negative correlation between MVD and COX-2 expression, but the effect of increased COX-2 expression on MVD was not marked. CONCLUSION These data suggest that COX-2 drives tumour spread in prostate cancer by means other than the promotion of angiogenesis.