Preferential up-regulation of heparanase and cyclooxygenase-2 in carcinogenesis of Barrett's oesophagus and intestinal-type gastric carcinoma.

Aims: Metaplastic changes secondary to chronic inflammation at the gastro-oesophageal junction and at the pyloric antrum are recognized as the premalignant conditions of Barrett's oesophageal adenocarcinoma and intestinal-type gastric carcinoma (GC), respectively. Heparanase (HPSE) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 have been proved to play critical roles in inflammation as well as in cancer. The aim was to examine the meaning of their expression in inflammation-related carcinogenesis.

The close relationship between heparanase and cyclooxygenase-2 expressions in signet-ring cell carcinoma of the stomach.

Signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRC) of the stomach exhibits diffuse growth and invasion without forming ducts. Destruction of the surrounding basal membrane and angiogenesis appear to be required for SRC to exhibit marked invasion and growth. We recently reported that heparanase (HPA) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were strongly correlated with microvessel density, and that COX-2 expression is up-regulated by HPA in esophageal cancer.