Plausible linkage of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) in uterine endometrial cancers

Angiogenesis is essential for the development, growth and advancement of solid tumors. Angiogenesis is induced by hypoxia with the angiogenic transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). This prompted us to study the clinical implications of HIF relative to angiogenesis in uterine endometrial cancers.

Sixty patients underwent curative resection for uterine endometrial cancers. In the tissue of 60 uterine endometrial cancers, HIF-1alpha, HIF-2alpha and HIF-1beta mRNA levels, and the ratio of angiopoietin (Ang)-2 to Ang-1 (Ang-2/Ang-1) mRNA levels were determined by RT real-time PCR; histochemical scores and localization of HIF-1alpha were determined by immunohistochemistry. Levels of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), thymidine phosphorylase (TP) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were determined by enzyme immunoassay.

In stage I uterine endometrial cancers, HIF-1alpha histochemical scores and mRNA levels significantly increased with myometrial invasion of uterine endometrial cancers. HIF-1alpha histochemical scores and mRNA levels correlated with the levels of Ang-2/Ang-1 and IL-8.

The angiogenic mediator HIF-1alpha, linked to Angs and IL-8, might work on angiogenesis with myometrial invasion of cancer cells in uterine endometrial cancers.