자궁목의 병기 I과 II 편평세포암종에서 Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α 단백의 발현 : p53 단백 및 VEGF 발현과의 관련성

Abstract

Background : Under hypoxia, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is known to activate the expression of various genes, including angiogenesis-related genes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of HIF-1α protein and its relationship with p53 protein expression and angiogenesis in the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix. Methods : Using immunohistochemical methods, the expression of HIF-1α protein, p53 protein, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and microvessel count were evaluated in seventy cases of FIGO stages I and II SCC; and their results were compared with age, stage, and pelvic lymph node metastasis. Results : Positive nuclear staining for HIF-1α protein was noted in 19 cases (27.1%). Carcinoma in situ or dysplastic lesions also revealed positive nuclear reaction along the lower part of the epithelium. The expression of HIF-1α protein was significantly related with those of p53 protein and VEGF (p<0.05), but not with other clinicopathologic parameters. The microvessel count showed a significant difference regarding stage and VEGF expression (p<0.05). Conclusion : These findings suggest that HIF-1α expression in SCCs of the uterine cervix might be the early event of carcinogenesis and could be associated with p53 protein and VEGF expression. However, the prognostic significance of HIF-1α expression in stages I and II SCCs is undetermined.