[Hypoxia in hepatocellular carcinoma].
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by hypervascularity, indicating that angiogenesis plays a vital role in HCC growth and progression. A number of anti-angiogenic therapies are being utilized in clinical trials in patients with HCC. However, the therapeutic efficacy of anti-angiogenic monotherapy is still insufficient. While inhibition of angiogenesis results in tumor hypoxia and cell death, this inhibition may also activate hypoxia-induced cell signals that may promote HCC progression. Therefore, an understanding of these signals may be essential in designing efficient anti-angiogenic therapies. This review summarizes the role of hypoxia-induced signals in HCC.
Myung
Sun Jung
SJ
Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Yoon
Jung-Hwan
JH
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015687:Cell Hypoxia; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors