Hypoxia induced metastasis of gastric cancer through HIF1α/ANXA1/MMP-2 pathway

Abstract BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of hypoxia induced metastasis of gastric cancer (GC). MethodThis study explored the clinical significance of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) 1α and annexin A1 (ANXA1) in human GC by immunohistochemistry of a tissue microarray with 76 surgically resected GC specimens and further examined the mechanism of the role of HIF1α in GC.ResultsOur data demonstrated that HIF1α expression was dramatically increased in GC tissues. High HIF1α expressions were significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis and with worse survival in GC patients. In addition, HIF1α expression was an independent prognostic factor in GC patients and the combination of HIF1α and ANXA1 might serve as useful prognostic markers in GC patients. Furthermore, HIF-1α could promote GC migration and invasion through HIF1α/ANXA1/MMP-2 (Matrix metal proteinase 2) pathway.ConclusionsOur findings indicated that HIF-1α may serve as a promising prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for inhibiting GC metastasis.