Annals of surgical oncology
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Hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a major regulator of tumorigenesis in hypoxic conditions and therefore represents a potential therapeutic target in colorectal cancer (CRC). Clinical significance of HIF-1α expression in liver metastases has not been elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the clinical significance of HIF-1α expression in colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). ⋯ Our results suggest a possible induction of HIF-1α expression by mutant PIK3CA. The expressions of HIF-1α and VEGF in liver metastases significantly correlated with those in the corresponding primary tumor. Overexpression of HIF-1α was an independent risk factor for recurrence after curative resection of CRLM, suggesting that HIF-1α represents an important candidate for the treatment of CRLM in a subset of patients with high HIF-1α expression.