Relationship Between Angiogenesis and Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α and Erythropoietin in Superficial Esophageal Carcinoma
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND/AIM: Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) plays a significant role in angiogenesis; however, few studies have examined its expression in superficial esophageal carcinoma. This study examined the timing at which the hypoxia-induced angiogenesis switch is turned on by investigating the expression of HIF-1α and its downstream target, erythropoietin (Epo), in superficial esophageal carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used 53 lesions of superficial esophageal carcinoma and conducted immunohistochemistry for HIF-1α and Epo. Cases were divided into three groups: T1a-EP/LPM group (22 lesions), T1a-MM/T1b-SM1 group (15 lesions), and T1b-SM2,3 group (16 lesions). HIF-1α and Epo expression levels were compared across groups using H scores. Additionally, in 24 cases with intraepithelial spread, expression was compared between intraepithelial and invasive components. RESULTS: Both HIF-1α and Epo were most strongly expressed in T1a-EP/LPM, with significantly reduced expression observed in tumors that invaded the muscularis mucosae or deeper layers. A strong positive correlation was found between HIF-1α and Epo expression scores. HIF-1α and Epo values were significantly higher in the intraepithelial area than in the invaded area. CONCLUSION: In esophageal carcinoma, HIF-1α and Epo were strongly expressed at the earliest stages of carcinogenesis. As the carcinoma progressed beyond the muscularis mucosae, the expression of these markers significantly declined, suggesting a resolution of hypoxia likely associated with active angiogenesis.
Source: Anticancer Research
Authors: Eisuke Yamamoto, Youichi Kumagai, Tetsuhiko Tachikawa, Morihiro Higashi, Masashi Oka, Hideyuki Ishida
Language: English
Subfield: Cancer Research
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
Award: G3342796823
OpenAlex ID: W4414541297