[Expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 and basic fibroblast growth factor in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and their association with radiotherapy sensitivity].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and evaluate their value in predicting the radiotherapy sensitivity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODS: The expressions of COX-2 and bFGF were detected immunohistochemically in biopsy samples of NPC, and their relationship with the radiotherapy sensitivity of the tumors were analyzed.

RESULTS: In 97 NPC cases, the positivity rates of COX-2 and bFGF were 71.1% (69/97) and 64.9% (63/97), respectively. Correlation analysis demonstrated that a positive COX-2 expression was positively correlated with an advanced T status and N status, and bFGF expression was positively associated with an advanced N status in NPCs. In radiotherapy-sensitive and radiotherapy-insensitive cases, the positive rate of COX-2 was 62.8% and 92.6%, and that of bFGF was 57.1% and 85.2%, respectively. The expression of COX-2 was positively correlated with that of bFGF (r=0.486, P<0.05). The radiotherapy sensitivity differed significantly among patients with different statuses of COX-2 and bFGF positivity.

CONCLUSION: COX-2 and bFGF can be effective and sensitive biomarkers for predicting radiotherapy sensitivity in NPC.