Serum HIF-1α, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 correlate to recurrence and overall survival in early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Aim: Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (UGMWA) was a critical issue. Therefore, it is significant to identify the role of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in recurrence.Materials & methods: HCC patients receiving UGMWA were divided into recurrence and no-recurrence groups. The preoperative and postoperative risk factors were compared between these two groups.Results: Preoperative and postoperative serum levels of HIF-1 alpha, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were closely associated with the recurrence of HCC. Serum HIF-1 alpha level was increased, while serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were decreased in HCC patients with recurrence.Conclusion: HIF-1 alpha, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were associated with and predicted the recurrence of HCC after UGMWA, respectively or in combination.