Hypoxia-induced upregulation of VEGF mRNA in cervical cancer cell lines

grantor: University of TorontoMalignant cells produce an angiogenesis factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is upregulated by hypoxia and may increase metastatic ability. Clinical data for cervical cancer relate oxygen levels in tumours to treatment outcome. This thesis addresses whether the presence of VEGF mRNA could be used as a marker for relevant levels of hypoxia. VEGF mRNA levels in three cervical cancer cell lines were found to be increased at oxygen concentrations well above that causing radiobiologic hypoxia, indicating that VEGF mRNA may not be useful as a direct marker for radioresistant cells. Differences in the oxygen concentration associated with an increased VEGF mRNA level, in the patterns of hypoxic upregulation of the VEGF gene, and in oxygen consumption at low oxygen concentrations were noted between the different cell lines. The results suggest a separation in the level of hypoxia which affects radiosensitivity and that which may affect increased metastatic potential.M.Sc