[Clinical significance and relationship between HIF-1alpha, COX-2, VEGF and microvessel density expression in laryngeal carcinoma]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the role of HIF-1alpha, COX-2, VEGF proteins and Microvessel density in angiogenesis and metastasis of laryngeal carcinoma.

Method: Surgically resected specimens of 64 laryngeal carcinomas were studied by immunohistochemical staining for HIF-1alpha protein, COX-2 protein, VEGF and MVD.

Result: Positive expressions of HIF-1alpha, COX-2 protein and VEGF were found in 65.63%, 68.75% and 71.88% of laryngeal carcinoma specimens, respectively. The mean MVD in this series was 35.79 +/- 9.49. The expression of HIF-1alpha, COX-2 and VEGF positively correlated with MVD expression. There was a positive relationship between HIF-1alpha, COX-2 and VEGF expression. The microvessel density (MVD) in HIF-1alpha, COX-2 and VEGF positive tumors was significantly higher in patients with cervical lymph node metastases than that in patients without metastases.

Conclusion: HIF-1alpha, COX-2 and VEGF proteins may play an important role in the angiogenesis of laryngeal carcinoma. HIF-1alpha regulate the expression and function of its downstream target genes (COX-2 and VEGF), which play a critical role in the angiogenesis of laryngeal carcinoma, metastases in the process of laryngeal cancer cell spreading to cervical lymph nodes.