Objective: To study the relation between the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha)and angiogenesis in ovarian cancer.
Methods: The expressions of HIF-1alpha mRNA, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and CD(34) in 295 patients with epithelial ovarian tumors were analyzed by tissue microarray technology, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, and compared with those of 13 normal ovarian tissue samples.
Results: The expressions of HIF-1alpha mRNA were observed in 0, 13.2%, 42.1% and 81.9% of normal ovarian tissue, benign, borderline and malignant ovarian tumors respectively. Expression rates of HIF-1alpha mRNA in borderline and invasive tumors were significantly higher than those in normal ovarian tissues and benign tumors (P < 0.01). Statistical analysis revealed that the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA was not related to surgical stages and histological subtypes. Close positive relation was observed between the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA and tumor histological grade (r = 0.246, P < 0.01). There were significant correlations between the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA and VEGF (r = 0.206, P = 0.01) and microvessel density (MVD) level (r = 0.451, P < 0.01).
Conclusion: HIF-1alpha may play a role in angiogenesis of ovarian carcinoma, and may promote the development of the carcinoma.