Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α: A critical target for inhibiting the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Metastasis is one of the major reasons for patient mortality in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the progression of HCC to a metastatic state depends on the local microenvironment. Hypoxia is a key condition affecting the microenvironment of HCC. Currently, various studies have shown that the expression of hypoxia-ainducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) is associated with the invasion and metastasis of HCC. High expression of HIF-1 alpha often leads to poor prognosis in patients with HCC. In this review, the molecular structure of HIF-1 alpha is described, and the expression pattern of HIF-1 alpha in HCC under hypoxia, which is associated with metastasis and poor prognosis in HCC, is explained. The molecular mechanisms of HIF-1 alpha function and the metastasis of HCC are further discussed. The modulation of HIF-1 alpha can reduce sorafenib resistance and improve the prognosis of patients after TACE. Therefore, HIF-1 alpha may be a critical target for inhibiting HCC metastasis in the future.

Automated summary

Hypoxia-induced high expression of HIF-1 alpha is associated with invasion and metastasis in HCC. Modulating HIF-1 alpha can reduce drug resistance and improve prognosis, making it a potential critical target for inhibiting HCC metastasis in the future.