Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and -2α in whole-mount prostate histology: relation with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and Gleason score

Oncol Rep. 2013 Jun;29(6):2249-54. doi: 10.3892/or.2013.2392. Epub 2013 Apr 8.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the immunohistochemical expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and HIF-2α and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) parameters Ktrans and kep in prostate cancer. Therefore, 15 patients with biopsy-confirmed prostate cancer underwent a pre-operative 3T DCE-MRI scan. Immunohistochemical analysis of HIF-1α and HIF-2α, and of CD31 for microvessel density (MVD) was performed. Tumor areas were delineated on whole-mount histopathological sections. Nuclear HIF expression was correlated with the quantitative DCE-MRI parameters Ktrans and kep, MVD and Gleason score. HIF expression was highly heterogeneous within tumors and between patients. Pronounced expression of HIF-2α was present, while HIF-1α expression was more limited. Larger tumors showed higher HIF-2α expression (p=0.041). A correlation between HIF-2α and Ktrans p5th was found (r=0.30, p=0.02), but no differences in Ktrans, kep and MVD were observed for different levels of HIF expression. HIF expression was not associated with Gleason score. In conclusion, in this whole-mount prostate cancer study, larger prostate tumors showed frequently high HIF-2α expression, suggesting that larger tumors are clinically most relevant. However, HIF-1α and HIF-2α were not correlated with DCE-MRI parameters. Given the pronounced expression of HIF-2α and independence of Gleason score, HIF expression may function as a biomarker to guide boost dose prescription.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Contrast Media / pharmacokinetics*
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / metabolism*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Organometallic Compounds / pharmacokinetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Contrast Media
  • HIF1A protein, human
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1
  • gadobutrol