Abstract

Background: The role of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CXCR1), inhibitor of kappa B (I kappa B alpha), and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) have been reported to promote tumorigenesis and progression in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study is to evaluate the expression of CXCR1, I kappa B alpha, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha), in combination, in CRC tissues. It also aims to analyze the relationship of these three factors with clinicopathological characteristics. Methods: CRC and tumor-adjacent tissues were surgically collected from CRC patients. All patients were diagnosed by pathological examination, and none of the patients had received preoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy. RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were performed, and the transcription of CXCR1, I kappa B alpha, HIF-1 alpha, and beta-actin was quantified by RT-qPCR. Results: The significant increase of CXCR1, HIF-1 alpha, and decrease of I kappa B alpha mRNA expression level were observed in tumor samples of CRC patients (p < 0.05). In addition, CXCR1 expression level was correlated with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.013). Also, results demonstrated a relationship between HIF-1 alpha expression and TNM stage and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.047 and p = 0.005, respectively). CXCR1 and HIF-1 alpha simultaneous expression demonstrated the significant relationship with lymph node metastasis in CRC. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that CXCR1, HIF-1 alpha, and I kappa B alpha can be used as potential prognostic factors indicating tumors in the advanced stage in patients with CRC.