Objective: To evaluate the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and their relationship in malignant melanoma.
Methods: 32 cases of malignant melanoma and 11 samples of normal skin were examined for HIF-1 alpha and VEGF expression by immunohistochemistry.
Results: The expression rate of HIF-1 alpha and VEGF was 62.5% (20/32) and 84.8% (27/32), respectively, in malignant melanoma, and 9.1% (1/11) and 18.2% (2/11), respectively, in normal skin, showing a significant difference between the two groups. Positive relationship between the expression of HIF-1 alpha and VEGF was found in malignant melanoma (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: 1) The high expression of HIF-1 alpha and VEGF in malignant melanoma indicates that it may play an important role in the generation and development of malignant melanoma. 2) The positive correlation between the expression of HIF-1 alpha and VEGF in malignant melanoma suggests that HIF-1 alpha may be involved in the regulation of VEGF in malignant melanoma.