Hemoglobin level predicts outcome for vulvar cancer patients independent of GLUT-1 and CA-IX expression in tumor tissue

Virchows Arch. 2010 Dec;457(6):693-703. doi: 10.1007/s00428-010-0981-x. Epub 2010 Oct 2.

Abstract

Intratumoral hypoxia has been associated with poor prognosis in several solid tumors. The aim of this study was to determine whether the hypoxia-associated markers glucose transporter (GLUT)-1 and carbonic anhydrase (CA)-IX expression and preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) levels correlate with presence of inguinofemoral or distant metastases, and disease-free survival (DSS) in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients. Vulvar SCC (n=103) were reviewed for histopathological characteristics by an expert gynecopathologist and stained for GLUT-1 and CA-IX. Clinical data and preoperative Hb levels were obtained from medical records. No significant correlations were observed between GLUT-1 or CA-IX expression patterns and preoperative Hb levels, presence of inguinofemoral or distant metastases and DSS. However, anemic patients (Hb<11.2 g/dL) had significantly more inguinofemoral metastases and lower Hb level was an independent prognostic factor for a worse DSS (p<0.001). The number of comorbidic conditions was inversely correlated with preoperative Hb level. Preoperative Hb levels are associated with poor DSS for vulvar SCC patients, whereas tumor hypoxia reflected by GLUT-1 and CA-IX expression does not have a predictive value. Because preoperative Hb levels inversely correlated with the number of comorbidic conditions and not with GLUT-1 or CA-IX expression, it is most likely that preoperative Hb levels represent overall physical condition.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Carbonic Anhydrase IX
  • Carbonic Anhydrases / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Glucose Transporter Type 1 / metabolism*
  • Hemoglobins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Glucose Transporter Type 1
  • Hemoglobins
  • CA9 protein, human
  • Carbonic Anhydrase IX
  • Carbonic Anhydrases