[The expression and significance of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha and microvessel density in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE

To examine the expression of HIF-1alpha and CD34 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and nasopharyngitis tissues, evaluate the role of HIF-1alpha and microvessel density (MVD) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, probe the relationship between HIF-1alpha and MVD.

METHODS

The expression of HIF-1alpha was detected in 58 cases with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and 20 samples of nasopharyngitis tissues by immunohistochemical staining SABC methods and SP methods. MVD in tumor was counted by immunostaining with CD34 and analyzed with clinicopathologic parameters.

RESULTS

The positive rate of HIF-1alpha was 79.31% and 10.00% respectively in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and nasopharyngitis tissues, there was significant difference between them (P<0.01). MVD was 39.74+/-7.41 and 18.43+/-3.24 respectively in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and nasopharyngitis tissues, there was significant difference between them (P<0.01). The expression of HIF-1alpha and MVD were significantly higher in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and in lymph node metastasis group than in no-metastasis group. In different clinical stage, the expression of HIF-1alpha (P<0.05) and MVD (P<0.01) was different. The expression of HIF-1alpha was positively correlated with MVD (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

HIF-1alpha may be involved in carcinogenesis, invasion and metastasis of NPC. Visualization plays a key role in invasion and metastasis of NPC. The expression of HIF-1alpha was positively correlated with tumor visualization in NPC. HIF-1alpha is likely to be a potential target of anticancer therapy.