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 |
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ABSTRACT |
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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 |
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