Polymorphisms in HIF-1alpha affect presence of lymph node metastasis and can influence tumor size in squamous-cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx.
BACKGROUND
HIF-1alpha plays a key role in the development and progression of cancer. Its polymorphic variants C1772T and G1790A have been associated with greater susceptibility to cancer and increased tumor progression.


METHODS
We determined the distribution of these polymorphisms among 121 patients with glottic cancer and 154 healthy volunteers by PCR-RFLP. We also analyzed the relationship between the presence of these polymorphisms and various clinicopathologic variables.


RESULTS
Advanced tumors (T3-T4) were associated with the TT variant (p = 0.036), which was present in 75 % of T4 tumors (p = 0.008). Among patients with nodal metastasis (N+), 41.7 and 22 % were carrying the TT and GA variants, respectively, compared with 9.4 and 2 % of the patients with no metastasis (N0), (p = 0.006 and p = 0.032).


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of the TT and GA variants were associated with lymph node metastasis, while the presence of the TT variant can be associated with larger tumor size.
Departamento de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 4ª Planta, C/Diego de Leon, 62, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
F
F
Mera-Menéndez
A
A
Hinojar-Gutiérrez
M
M
Guijarro Rojas
J García
JG
de Gregorio
E
E
Mera-Menéndez
J J
JJ
Sánchez
M
M
Quintanilla
L
L
Cerezo
C
C
Gamallo
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D005931:Glottis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / Q000235:genetics*; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit