HIF-1α: Its role in metastasis of oesophageal malignancy

Abstract

Hypoxia is a significant factor of the tumor microenvironment. Transcriptional factor HIF-1α serves as a drive for tumor hypoxic microenvironment and triggers gene transcription that intricate in important aspects of cancer biology. Hypoxic effects can be either positive or negative, depending on the context, severity and duration on a tissue. In oesophagus cancer, hypoxia stabilizes the transcription factor HIF-1α and regulates diverse functions such as metastasis, angiogenesis, cell cycle regulation and apoptosis chemo-resistance. miRNAs also play essential roles in the adaptive response of tumors to hypoxia. Therefore, HIF-1α acts as a promising target in advancement of new therapeutics for oesophagus cancer therapy. Recent developments in regulation of HIF-1α and functional involvement in tumor growth, migration, stemness and drugs affecting HIF-1α expression will be discussed in this review.