Concentration of hypoxia-inducible factor-1, glucose transporter 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor in tissue samples and serum in patients with primary laryngeal carcinoma

Background Markers of tumorigenesis are essential factors which may play a major role in the early detection of head and neck carcinoma. Aims/objectives To assess concentration of HIF-1, GLUT1 and VEGF in tissue samples and blood serum and its correlation to the tumour size, nodal disease, pathologic differentiation and patients' data. Material and methods Fifty-two patients diagnosed with laryngeal carcinoma stage I-IV in which concentration of HIF-1, GLUT1 and VEGF was assessed in tissue samples and blood serum using immunoassay method. Results HIF-1 alpha, GLUT1, VEGF concentration was significantly higher in cancer tissue samples than in normal tissue (p < .001) and benign laryngeal lesions. Serum levels of the factors were significantly lower in the control group. Statistically significant difference regarding tumour size was found between T2 and T4 stages in HIF-1 alpha concentration in cancer samples and serum. Conclusions The results show that high concentration of HIF-1 alpha, GLUT1 and VEGF might be suggestive of carcinogenic process when diagnosing patients with laryngeal lesions and could promote early detection of malignancy. Significance The results of this study show importance of biochemical assessment in malignant tumours which may affect clinical decisions.