The expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients: a cross-sectional study in Indonesia

INTRODUCTION: Hypoxia fuels cancer growth by supporting blood vessel formation, suppressing immune response, and helping cancer cells adapt to harsh surroundings. This happens when cancer cells react to low oxygen levels by activating hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α). High levels of HIF-1α can indicate an aggressive form of cancer and resistance to treatment in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients. This study aimed to identify which factors are linked to HIF-1α distribution using immunohistochemistry in DLBCL patients. METHOD: This study conducted at a hospital in Indonesia between 2020 and 2022 aimed to investigate factors associated with HIF-1α expression in DLBCL patients. Newly diagnosed DLBCL patients were categorized into two groups based on HIF-1α distribution (<40% and ≥40%). Various factors were analyzed between the two groups using statistical tests such as χ(2), Mann–Whitney U, and Spearman correlation tests. RESULTS: In this study, 40 participants diagnosed with DLBCL were divided into two groups based on their HIF-1α distribution. The group with HIF-1α distribution greater than or equal to 40% had a higher incidence of extranodal involvement, including primary extranodal disease, compared to the group with less than 40% distribution. This difference was statistically significant. The authors also found that haemoglobin level statistically significant (P=0.041) in this research. The Spearman test analysis showed negative correlation between haemoglobin (P = <0.05, r = −0.44) and positive correlation of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) (P = <0.05, r = 0.5) with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as well as between tumour volume (P = <0.05, r = 0.37) with sIL-2R. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between VEGF and sIL-2R (P = <0.05, r= 0.5). CONCLUSION: Patients with higher HIF-1α expression (≥40%) had more extranodal involvement and primary extranodal disease in this study of 40 DLBCL patients. Haemoglobin level, sIL-2R, and VEGF were also identified as potential biomarkers.