The expression and significance of hypoxia inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor-C in colorectal cancer

Objective:To investigate the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and their relation to lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis in colorectal cancer. Methods:The expression of HIF-1α and VEGF-C in colorectal cancer tissues and normal colorectal tissues were detected in 72 patients with immunohistochemical EliVsion plus method and microlymphtic vessel density in VEGFR-3 staining was calculated. Results:The positive rates of HIF-1α and VEGF-C expressions density in colorectal cancer and adjacent normal tissue were 77.8%,83.0% and 44.4%,42.0%,respectively,there were the statistical differences(P<0.01). The positive rate of HIF-1α was 90.0% in lymph node metastasis cases,no transfer for 63.5%, the difference had statistical significance(P<0.01). The positive rate of VEGF-C was 95.0% in lymph node metastasis cases,no transfer for 68.8%,which had the statistical difference(χ²=7.78,P<0.01); the positive rates of HIF-1α were 12% and 44%,which had the statistical significance (χ²=8.82, P<0.01). In high, medium differentiation of colorectal cancer group and low, undifferentiated group,the positive rates of VEGF-C was 14% and 46%,respectively,also had the statistical difference(P<0.01). The expression of HIF-1α and VEGF-C in colorectal cancer tissues had synergistic effect (r=0.105, P<0.01). Conclusions:The expression of HIF-1α and VEGF-C are high in colorectal cancer,and low in adjacent tissues. The positive expression is associated with lymph node metastasis and the differentiation degree in carcinoma tissues,and has no relationship with age and sex. The expression of HIF-1α and VEGF-C are associated with each other in colorectal cancer tissues, and exists the synergy effect in colorectal cancer metastasis process.