Significance of COX-2 and VEGF expression in histopathologic grading and invasiveness of meningiomas
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Sung Hak Lee1, Youn Soo Lee, Yong Gil Hong
1Department of Hospital Pathology, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract:
Meningiomas are slow-growing neoplasms that recur locally. Their morphologic grading does not always correlate with patient outcome. We evaluated the status of several immunohistochemical markers with histopathologic parameters in various grades of meningioma.Eighty-eight meningioma specimens were examined immunohistochemically to determine the status of Ki-67, cyclin D1, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and bcl-2. Several clinical and pathological parameters were investigated.Forty-nine Grade I, 33 Grade II, and 6 Grade III meningiomas were observed. VEGF and Ki-67 expression was correlated with higher tumor grade. The association between grade and other immunohistochemical markers expression was not significant. A correlation was observed between COX-2 expression and invasiveness to the brain or adjacent soft tissue. Tumor recurrence was correlated with brain or adjacent soft tissue invasion. We also observed a relationship between VEGF level and COX-2 expression, and they were both correlated with necrosis.Immunohistochemical evaluation of VEGF, COX-2, and Ki-67 expression can provide information regarding the behavior of meningiomas, particularly for cases in which histological grading is not straightforward.
Insights
Immunohistochemical markers like VEGF, COX-2, and Ki-67 can predict meningioma behavior and recurrence risk. This is especially useful when standard histological grading is unclear.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Pathology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Meningiomas are typically slow-growing tumors with a tendency for local recurrence.
- Histopathological grading of meningiomas does not always accurately predict patient outcomes.
- Immunohistochemical markers may offer additional prognostic information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the expression of immunohistochemical markers (Ki-67, cyclin D1, EGFR, COX-2, VEGF, bcl-2) in different grades of meningioma.
- To correlate marker expression with histopathological parameters and clinical behavior, including tumor grade and recurrence.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-eight meningioma specimens were analyzed using immunohistochemistry.
- Expression levels of Ki-67, cyclin D1, EGFR, COX-2, VEGF, and bcl-2 were assessed.
- Correlation with histopathological parameters, tumor grade, invasion, and recurrence was investigated.
Main Results:
- VEGF and Ki-67 expression correlated with higher meningioma grades (II and III).
- COX-2 expression was associated with brain or soft tissue invasiveness.
- Tumor recurrence was linked to invasion, and VEGF/COX-2 expression correlated with necrosis.
Conclusions:
- Immunohistochemical evaluation of VEGF, COX-2, and Ki-67 provides valuable insights into meningioma behavior.
- These markers can aid in predicting tumor aggressiveness and recurrence, especially when histological grading is ambiguous.
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