Expression of VEGF and HIF-1α in locally advanced cervical cancer

What is it about?

Locally advanced cervical cancer(LACC) is an early-stage cervical cancer characterized by a local tumor diameter of no less than 4 cm. Patients with LACC have a relatively poor prognosis. Although preoperative radiochemotherapy(PRCT) might offer a valuable opportunity for subsequent radical surgery, surgeons should also consider the non-responsive rate,the adverse effects of PRCT and surgical complications before creating a treatment plan. Therefore, biomarkers for predicting PRCT sensitivity and prognosis in LACC patients are of high importance.

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Why is it important?

We investigated the prognostic significance of VEGF and HIF-1αin patients with LACC. A total of 43 LACC patients who underwent PRCT(one course each of intravenous chemotherapy and after-loading intracavitary brachytherapy followed by a radical hysterectomy) during the period 2009 to 2014 were included in this study. The VEGF and HIF-1α expression levels were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in LACC lesions before and after PRCT. In addition,we analyzed the association of these proteins with the clinical response and pathological findings of pelvic lymph node metastasis(PLNM) after the subsequent surgery.