Podoplanin (D2-40) and COX-2 as lymphangiogenesis markers in uterine cervix cancer

• Grant number: 09/52779-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2009
• End date: October 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: José Humberto Tavares Guerreiro Fregnani
• Grantee: José Humberto Tavares Guerreiro Fregnani
• Host Institution: Hospital A C Camargo. Fundação Antonio Prudente (FAP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cancer of the uterine cervix is a worldwide public health issue because it affects young women and is highly incident in developing countries. Lymph node metastasis is a major prognostic factor implicated on adjuvant radiotherapy indication. Current studies on lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic dissemination have looked for a prognostic factor that could accurately predict lymph node metastasis, which would imply on less morbidity by avoiding combination of radical surgery and radiotherapy. Furthermore, that marker could have a potential role as a molecular target. Monoclonal antibody D2-40 is a specific marker for podoplanin, a glycoprotein expressed on the surface of lymphatic endothelial cells. It would be able to detect lymphatic invasion and assess lymph vessel density, thus predicting regional lymph node dissemination of the primary tumor. It has also been shown that COX-2 overexpression in malignant tumors is related to lymphangiogenesis. The primary aim of this study is to assess podoplanin and COX-2 expression in initial cervical uterine cancer, searching for a correlation with lymph node metastasis and survival. (AU)