title: HIF1-alpha expression predicts survival of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral squamous cell carcinoma is an important cause of death and morbidity wordwide and effective prognostic markers are still to be discovered. HIF1α protein is associated with hypoxia response and neovascularization, essential conditions for solid tumors survival. The relationship between HIF1α expression, tumor progression and treatment response in head and neck cancer is still poorly understood.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we investigated HIF1α expression by immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays and its relationship with clinical findings, histopathological results and survival of 66 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower mouth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results demonstrated that high HIF1α expression is associated with local disease-free survival, independently from the choice of treatment. Furthermore, high expression of HIF1α in patients treated with postoperative radiotherapy was associated with survival, therefore being a novel prognostic marker in squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth. Additionally, our results showed that MVD was associated with HIF1α expression and local disease relapse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that HIF1α expression can be used as a prognostic marker and predictor of postoperative radiotherapy response, helping the oncologist choose the best treatment for each patient.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós Graduação, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: dos Santos
authors.forename: Ana Maria da Cunha
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mercante
authors.forename: Iúri Drumond
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Louro
authors.forename: Antônio José
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Marcos Brasilino
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: de Carvalho
authors.forename: Eloiza Helena Tajara
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Adriana Madeira Álvares
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: da Silva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / Q000235:genetics*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C497442:HIF1A protein, human; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit