Expression and clinical significance of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha after TACE on rabbit VX2 liver neoplasms

Objective: To investigate expression and clinical significance of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) after TACE on rabbit VX2 liver neoplasms, and the correlation with tumor angiogenesis. Methods: Twenty four rabbits implanted liver VX2 tumors were randomly divided into 3 groups. Control group was administrated with 2 ml saline. TAE group was embolized with 0.5 to 0.8 ml ultra-fluid lipiodol. TACE group was embolized with 0.5 to 0.8 ml ultra-fluid lipiodol mixed with 2 mg Pirarubicin. Two weeks after treatment, HIF-1α, VEGF expression was detected by immunohistochemistry, and microvessel density(MVD) of the section marked with CD34 antibody was calculated. Results: The expressions of HIF-1α, VEGF and MVD in TAE group and TACE group were stronger than those in control group (P<0.05) . HIF-1α was positively correlated with VEGF and MVD (r=0.537, P<0.01; r=0.423, P<0.05). Conclusion: Significant overexpression of HIF-1α was found after TAE and TACE. HIF-1α plays an important role in the prognosis of liver neoplasms by up-regulating the expression of VEGF and increasing MVD. (authors)