[Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and urokinase plasminogen activator in gastric carcinoma and the clinical significance thereof].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) in gastric carcinoma and the clinical significance thereof. METHODS: Strepavidin-peroxidase method was used to detect the expression of COX-2 and uPA in 192 specimens of gastric carcinoma, 56 specimens of paracancer tissues obtained during operation. Immunohistochemical double staining was used to detect the microvessel density (MVD) and microlymphatic density (MLD). Thirty specimens of normal gastric mucosa obtained during gastroscopy were used as controls. RESULTS: The positive rates of COX-2 in the gastric carcinoma and paracancer tissues were 67.7% and 62.5% respectively, both significantly higher than that of the control group (40.0%, both P < 0.05). The positive expression of COX-2 in gastric carcinoma was significantly related with the depth of invasion and MVD (both P < 0.05). The positive rates of uPA in the gastric carcinoma, paracancer tissue were 78.1% and 44.6% respectively, both significantly higher than that of the control tissues (6.7%, both P < 0.01) and there was a significant difference in the positive rates of uPA between the first 2 groups too (P < 0.01). The positive expression of uPA in gastric carcinoma was significantly related with lymph node metastasis, depth of invasion, Lauren typing, differentiation, MVD, and MLD (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). COX-2 expression was positively linked with uPA expression (r = 0.167, P = 0.021). The survival time of the uPA positive group was (38 +/- 4) months, significantly shorter than that of the negative group [(54 +/- 6) months, P < 0.05]. The survival time of the group positive in both COX-2 and uPA was (27 +/- 3) months, significantly shorter than that of the single positive or double negative groups [both (58 +/- 4) months, both P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: COX-2 and uPA are highly expressed in gastric carcinoma. COX-2 expression is positively linked with uPA expression. COX-2 and uPA in the gastric carcinoma participate in the development of gastric cancer in the early process. uPA is significantly related with the survival time.