Effect of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha expression on survival in patients with metastatic cervical squamous cell carcinoma treated with first-line chemotherapy and bevacizumab

Hasan Cagri Yildirim; Hicran Anik; Deniz Ates Ozdemir; Rashad Ismayilov; Arif Akyildiz; Kerim Cayiroz; Fahri Ceyhan; Oguzalp Kavruk; Deniz Can Guven; Ozturk Ates; Alp Usubutun; Zafer Arik

doi:10.17305/bb.2024.10255

Authors

Hasan Cagri Yildirim Department of Medical Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Ankara, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3060-377X
Hicran Anik Department of Medical Oncology, Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7992-4008
Deniz Ates Ozdemir Department of Pathology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
Rashad Ismayilov Department of Internal Medicine, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7093-2722
Arif Akyildiz Department of Medical Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Ankara, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4452-2076
Kerim Cayiroz Department of Internal Medicine, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1063-7948
Fahri Ceyhan Department of Internal Medicine, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
Oguzalp Kavruk Department of Internal Medicine, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
Deniz Can Guven Department of Medical Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Ankara, Turkey
Ozturk Ates Department of Medical Oncology, Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0182-3933
Alp Usubutun Department of Pathology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
Zafer Arik Department of Medical Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Ankara, Turkey

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17305/bb.2024.10255

Keywords:

Metastatic cervical cancer, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha), bevacizumab

Abstract

This study addresses the gap in understanding the prognostic relevance of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) expression in metastatic cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients undergoing anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-based therapy. A retrospective multicenter study (n = 34) explored HIF-1 alpha expression via immunohistochemistry in patients treated with platinum chemotherapy and bevacizumab. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly lower in the HIF-1 alpha low score group compared to the high score group (4.9 vs 12.9 months, P = 0.014). Similarly, the median overall survival (OS) was significantly reduced in the HIF-1 alpha low score group (8.3 vs 20.4 months, P = 0.006). This study, the first of its kind, highlights the prognostic significance of HIF-1 alpha expression in metastatic cervical SCC patients treated with bevacizumab-based therapy.