Abstract:

Objective   To investigate co-expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) and hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) and their association with lymphangiogenesis in non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC) . Methods   Applying the immunohistochemical technique, the lymphatic micro-vessel density(LMVD) and expressions of HIF-1α and HGF in 126 patients with NSCLC and 20 peri-cancerous normal lung tissue samples were determined. Relationships of expressions of HIF-1α and HGF with LMVD and clinicopathological factors were analyzed. Results   Expression of HIF-1α was positively related to expression of HGF(R2=0.590, P<0.05) .Expressions of HIF-1α and HGF in NSCLC tissues were significantly higher than in peri-cancerous normal lung tissues (17.5250±2.2869 vs 1.7650±0.7353，P＜0.05) . Higher LMVD was found in NSCLC samples with positive HIF-1α and HGF expressions than those with negative expressions(P＜0.05). Expressions of HIF-1α and HGF were significantly associated with the TNM stage and lymph node metastasis(P＜0.05), while they had no significant correlation with sex, age, tumor size, histological type and differentiation grade(P>0.05) . Conclusion   Co-expression of HIF-1α and HGF exists in  NSCLC, moreover, over-expressions of HIF-1α and HGF can promote lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis.

Key words: Carcinoma, non-small-cell lung;  Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α; Hepatocyte growth factor; Lymphatic microvessel density; Lymphangiogenesis