Abstract:

Objective     To investigate the expressions of HIF-1α (Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α) and P-gp (P-glycoprotein) in human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma（LSCC）and normal laryngeal mucosa, and to analyze their relationship with clinicopathological features. Methods    The expression of HIF-1α and P-gp of 86 cases of LSCC and that of 42 cases of normal laryngeal mucosa were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results    The positive rates of HIF-1α and P-gp proteins were significantly higher in LSCC than those in normal tissues (P＜0.05). The expression of HIF-1α protein was correlated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis (P＜0.05), but not histological differentiation and primary site（P＞0.05）. The level of P-gp expression was also associated with TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, histological differentiation of LSCC but not  primary site（P＞0.05）. There was a positive correlation between the expressions of HIF1α and P-gp proteins(r=0.442, P＜0.01). Conclusion    High expressions of HIF-1α and P-gp proteins in LSCC may play important roles in the progression of the disease. HIF-1α and P-gp may be two potential biomarkers in the assessment of clinicopathological features of LSCC.

Key words: Laryngeal neoplasms; Squamous cell carcinoma; Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α; P-glycoprotein