High COX‐2 expression is associated with increased angiogenesis, proliferation and tumoural inflammatory infiltrate in canine malignant mammary tumours: a multivariate survival study. (21st January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carvalho, M. I.; Pires, I.; Prada, J.; Raposo, T. P.; Gregório, H.; Lobo, L.; Queiroga, F. L.
• Is Part Of: Veterinary and comparative oncology. Volume 15:Number 2(2017:Jun.)
• Page Start: 619
• Page End: 631
• Publication Date: 2016-01-21
• Subjects: angiogenesis -- canine mammary tumours -- COX‐2 -- prognosis -- proliferation -- tumour inflammatory infiltrate; Veterinary oncology -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- veterinary -- Periodicals; 636.0896994005
• DOI: 10.1111/vco.12206
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-5810

Abstract

Abstract: COX‐2 expression affects mammary tumourigenesis by promoting angiogenesis and cell proliferation, encouraging metastatic spread and tumour‐associated inflammation. Samples of canine mammary tumours ( n = 109) were submitted to immunohistochemistry to detect COX‐2, CD31, VEGF, Ki‐67, CD3 and MAC387 expression. Concurrent high expression of COX‐2/CD31, COX‐2/VEGF, COX‐2/Ki‐67, COX‐2/CD3 and COX‐2/MAC was associated with elevated grade of malignancy, presence of intravascular emboli and presence of lymph node metastasis. Tumours with high COX‐2 ( P < 0.001) and tumours with concurrent expression of high COX‐2 and high CD31 ( P = 0.008); high VEGF ( P < 0.001); high Ki‐67 ( P < 0.001); high CD3+ T‐lymphocytes ( P = 0.002) and elevated MAC387 macrophages ( P = 0.024) were associated with shorter overall survival (OS) time. Interestingly the groups with high COX‐2/CD31 and high COX‐2/VEGF retained their significance after multivariate analysis arising as independent predictors of OS. Present data highlight the importance of COX‐2 in canine mammary tumourigenesis.