Hypoxia in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Korean J Hepatol > Volume 13(1); 2007 > Article

The Korean Journal of Hepatology 2007;13(1): 9-19.

Hypoxia in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Sun Jung Myung , Jung Hwan Yoon

Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

ABSTRACT

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. (Korean J Hepatol 2007;13:9-19)

KeyWords: Carcinoma, hepatocellular; Angiogenesis inducing agent; Angiogenesis inhibitors; Hypoxia