Evaluation of Cyclooxygenase-2, P53, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, and Nitric Oxide Synthase-2 in Angiogenesis and Growth of Tobacco-Related Malignancies

Abstract

Introduction In India, tobacco consumption is responsible for half of all the cancers in men and a quarter in women. The present study focuses on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), P53, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and their relationship with the growth and angiogenesis of tobacco-related malignancies of the oral cavity, esophagus, lungs, and stomach. It further evaluates the carcinogenic action of nicotine and examines whether COX-2 and NOS-2 overexpression is responsible for tumor growth and associated angiogenic VEGF expression via its receptor.

Keywords

• tobacco
• malignancy
• angiogenesis