[HIF-1alpha expression and relationship involving tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis in human breast...

To investigate the expression of hypoxia- inducible 1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) in human breast cancer and its relationship with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA ) protein, other tumor biomarkers and clinical pathologic factors.

The immunohistochemical staining (SP) was used to measure the expression of HIF-1alpha, VEGF and PCNA in human breast fibroadenoma, usual hyperplasia and breast carcinoma.

HIF-1alpha was not found expressing in breast fibroadenoma and hyperplastic lesions. In contrast, the positive rate of HIF-1alpha was found in the ductal carcinoma in situ 55% (DCIS, 11/20) and the invasive breast carcinoma 85% (51/60). VEGF positivity in breast carcinoma was 81.3% (65/80). The total positive rate of PCNA in breast carcinoma was 75% (60/80), that in DCIS was 65% (13/20) and that in invasive carcinoma was 78.3% (47/66). Increased levels of HIF-1alpha were statistically significantly associated with increased expression of VEGF (r = 0.762, P <0.01) and PCNA (r = 0.693, P < 0. 01). Conclusion The upregulated expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF in breast carcinoma has a close relationship with tumor angiogenesis, tumor cell proliferation, lymph node metastasis, ER status and stages of histology. This suggests that HIF-1alpha plays an important role in the carcinogenesis and progression of breast carcinoma; is wished to become a new target for radiotherapy, chemotherapy and biotherapy of tumor, which will offer the new ways to diagnosis and treatment of tumor.