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Oxygenation Gain Factor

A Novel Parameter Characterizing the Association between Hemoglobin Level and the Oxygenation Status of Breast Cancers

¹ Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Mainz, Mainz,
² Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

Tumor hypoxia has been linked to acquired treatment resistance, tumor progression, and poor prognosis. Because anemia is a major causative factor for the development of hypoxia, the association between blood hemoglobin concentration (cHb) and breast cancer oxygenation was examined in this study. In addition, a novel parameter characterizing the relationship between oxygenation status and rising cHb is introduced: the oxygenation gain factor (OGF). In breast cancer patients, median cHb over the range 8.5–14.7 g/dl correlated positively with the median pO₂ (3–15 mm Hg), yielding an average OGF of 2 mm Hg·dl/g. In contrast, in normal tissues (normal breast, subcutis, and skeletal muscle) the median pO₂ values were substantially higher (52 mm Hg, 51 mm Hg, and 37 mm Hg, respectively) and remained constant irrespective of the hemoglobin level over the range from 10 to 16 g/dl (OGF = 0 in grade I anemia and nonanemic patients). Moderately lower median pO₂ values in subcutis and skeletal muscle were only observed in grade II anemia (8 g/dl < cHb 10 g/dl), although this would appear to be of no biological relevance. Conversely, in breast cancers, even mild anemia (grade I anemia) is a major causative factor for the development of hypoxia or anoxia.

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