Correlation of HIF-1α, CXCR4 and MMP13 Expression in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Cervical Nodal Status

Background: Laryngeal carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the upper respiratory tract, more than 98% are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). New method is necessary for identifying and αpredicting nodal metastasis in laryngeal SCC. Overproliferating tumor cells will induce hypoxia and release HIF-1α, which in turn will upregulate CXCR4. CXCR4 then will induce MMP13, a protein that degrade extracellular matrix (ECM), thus promoting metastatic process. Methods: A cross sectional study, using 30 samples of laryngeal SCC, divided into two groups: based on cervical lymph node status. All samples were stained immunohistochemically against HIF-1α, CXCR4 and MMP13 antibody. The expressions were evaluated using immunoreactive score (IRS). Result: There were significant difference among HIF1α, CXCR4, and MMP13 in laryngeal SCC with positive nodal metastasis group compared to negative nodal metastasis group (p<0,05).   Conclusion: There were significant differences in HIF-1α, CXCR4 and MMP13 immunoexpression in laryngeal SCC with cervical nodal metastasis compared to laryngeal SCC without cervical nodal metastasis. There was a positive correlation between HIF-1α and MMP13 expression, positive correlation between CXCR4 and MMP13 expression, but there was no correlation between HIF-1α and CXCR4 expression.