Hypoxia-inducible factor in thyroid carcinoma

Natalie Burrows, Muhammad Babur, Julia Resch, Kaye J. Williams*, Georg Brabant

*Corresponding author for this work
23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Intratumoural hypoxia (low oxygen tension) is associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 is a transcription factor activated by hypoxia that regulates the expression of genes that promote tumour cell survival, progression, metastasis, and resistance to chemo/radiotherapy. In addition to hypoxia, HIF-1 can be activated by growth factor-signalling pathways such as the mitogen-activated protein kinases-(MAPK-) and phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinases-(PI3K-) signalling cascades. Mutations in these pathways are common in thyroid carcinoma and lead to enhanced HIF-1 expression and activity. Here, we summarise current data that highlights the potential role of both hypoxia and MAPK/PI3K-induced HIF-1 signalling in thyroid carcinoma progression, metastatic characteristics, and the potential role of HIF-1 in thyroid carcinoma response to radiotherapy. Direct or indirect targeting of HIF-1 using an MAPK or PI3K inhibitor in combination with radiotherapy may be a new potential therapeutic target to improve the therapeutic response of thyroid carcinoma to radiotherapy and reduce metastatic burden.

Original languageEnglish
Article number762905
JournalJournal of Thyroid Research
Volume2011
ISSN2090-8067
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.12.2011

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