Expression of osteopontin and cyclooxygenase-2 in cervical cancer tissues, and their correlation with chemotherapy sensitivity

ObjectiveTo observe the expression levels of osteopontin(OPN) and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) in cervical cancer tissues, and analyze their correlation with the chemotherapy sensitivity.

MethodsOne hundred and fifty-seven cervical cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT) were divided into the sensitive chemotherapy group(112 cases) and insensitive chemotherapy group(45 cases) according to the relevant tumor efficacy evaluation criteria.The mRNA and protein levels of OPN and COX-2 in two groups before and after NACT treatment were detected using RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively.The relationship between the expression levels of OPN and COX-2 mRNA and ultrasonic parametersblood vascularization index(VI), flow index(FI) and vascularization flow index(VFI) in cervical cancer before treatment were analyzed.The multiple factors influencing the chemotherapy sensitivity in patients with cervical cancer were analyzed using logistic regression analysis.

ResultsBefore treatment, the expression levels of OPN and COX-2 mRNA and protein in insensitive chemotherapy group were significantly higher than those in sensitive chemotherapy group(P < 0.01).After chemotherapy, there were not significant changes in the expression levels of OPN and COX-2 mRNA and protein in insensitive chemotherapy group(P>0.05), and the expression levels of OPN, COX-2 mRNA and protein in the sensitive chemotherapy group significantly reduced(P < 0.01).Before treatment, the expression levels of OPN and COX-2 mRNA in cervical cancer tissues were positively correlated with VI and FI(P < 0.05), and not significantly correlated with VFI(P>0.05).The expression levels of OPN and COX-2 mRNA, VI and FI in cervical cancer tissues before chemotherapy were the independent risk factors for chemotherapy sensitivity(P < 0.05).

ConclusionsThe expression levels of OPN, COX-2 mRNA and protein in cervical cancer tissues are high, and both are closely related to the chemotherapy sensitivity.