Evaluation of HIF-1α and VEGF-A expression in radiation-induced cystitis: A case-control study

Abstract

The standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer (CC) is chemoradiotherapy. Once the bladder receives part of the radiation, a typical inflammatory condition that configures radiation-induced cystitis may develop. Chronic radiation-induced cystitis is commonly characterized by the bladder new submucosal vascularization, which is typically fragile and favors hematuria. The current study aims to investigate if Hypoxia-Induced Factor (HIF-1α) and its transcriptional target Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A) could be a primary pathway leading to increased submucosal vascularization. HIF-1α and VEGF-A mRNA levels in bladder core biopsies from CC patients treated with radiotherapy versus untreated (non-irradiated) patients were analyzed using a droplet digital polymerase chain reaction technology. Gene expression results showed that HIF-1α and VEGF-A had no significant differences between bladder samples from patients previously irradiated and untreated patient samples. However, a direct relationship between the degree of late morbidity and the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF-A has been demonstrated. Despite the lack of statistical significance precludes a definitive conclusion, the data presented herein suggests that further studies investigating the role of HIF-1α in bladder neovascularization in radiation-induced cystitis are highly recommended.

Effects of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 (HIF-1) Signaling Pathway on Acute Ischemic Stroke

“…In ischemic brain tissue, both are expressed on neurons with the same expression phase [7]. HIF-1 is a transcription factor discovered during erythropoietin gene expression studies in hepatocytes and transgenic animals [8,9]. So far, more than 100 target genes have been found to directly act on HIF-1, which are involved in the processes of angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell proliferation, and energy metabolism.…”

Disfunções do assoalho pélvico pós radioterapia para tratamento do carcinoma de colo uterino: uma revisão integrativa

“…As alterações na função urinária e digestiva também se mostraram frequentes após o tratamento com radioterapia para neoplasia do colo de útero, sendo relatadas nos estudos de Aguiar et al (2015), Mattos, et al (2021), Hazewinkel, et al (2012) e Miguel, et al (2020, há um destaque para a presença de constipação e incontinência urinária nestas pacientes. Outras alterações encontradas também foram a cistite induzida por radiação, micção obstrutiva e a incontinência fecal.…”