Positive correlation between the expression of hEag1 and HIF-1α in breast cancers: an observational study

BMJ Open. 2014 May 16;4(5):e005049. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-005049.

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the expression patterns of Eag1 (ether á go-go 1) and HIF-1α (hypoxia-inducible factor 1α) in a cohort of patients with breast cancer.

Setting: Department of general surgery in an upper first-class hospital in Xi'an, China.

Participants: A total of 112 female Han Chinese patients with a diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma were included. Patients with main internal diseases, such as cardiovascular, endocrine, gastroenterological, haematological, infectious diseases, etc, were excluded.

Primary and secondary outcome measures: Expression profiles of Eag1 and HIF-1α.

Results: Eag1 and HIF-1α were overexpressed in the tumour tissues compared with the pair-matched control tissues, p=0.002 and <0.001, respectively. The expression of Eag1 and HIF-1α was negatively correlated with tumour size, p=0.032 and p=0.025, respectively, and lymph node status (p=0.040, p=0.032, respectively). The coexpression of Eag1 and HIF-1α was correlated with tumour size (p=0.012), lymph node status (p=0.027) and tumour stage (p=0.036). HIF-1α has a strong correlation with hEag1 expression (κ=0.731, p<0.001).

Conclusions: HIF-1α expression has a strong correlation with hEag1 expression. We are the first to attempt to explore the correlation at the population level.

Keywords: Histopathology; Molecular Biology.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / biosynthesis
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels / biosynthesis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / biosynthesis*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels
  • HIF1A protein, human
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • KCNH1 protein, human