Expression and prognostic significance of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM)

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly chemoresistant cancer with a poor prognosis. Hypoxia is a specific property of solid tumours, contributes to tow apoptotic potential, and can be selectively targeted by bioreductive drugs. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) is a subunit of a heterodimeric transcription complex that regulates several genes associated with tumour progression and antiapoptosis. In this study, we measured for the first time the expression of HIF-1 alpha in MPM. Our results show that HIF-1 alpha is commonly expressed in MPM but not in normal mesothelium, consistent with the presence of hypoxia. HIF-1 alpha does not appear to predict survival; however, this study suggests that bioreductive drugs should be investigated in clinical trials of MPM. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.