Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α): A Biomarker for Detection of Malignant Transformation in Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Abstract

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a premalignant condition, which involves the oral cavity as well as pharynx and upper third of the esophagus. It is a predominant disease of South and South-East Asian population. OSMF has the highest rate of malignant transformation among the other oral premalignant disorders (OPMD) that is 7-30% with a prevalence of about 0.03% to 6.42%. OSMF is described by extensive fibrosis of submucosa and reduced vascularity, which results in compromised blood supply guiding to hypoxia of tissue. This tissue hypoxia brings about the transcription of a set of genes associated with angiogenesis, breakdown of iron/glucose, cell division and cell stability. Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) is the main biomarker intervening in this reaction. The alteration of cells to hypoxia emerges to be mediated through hypoxia inducible factor, which is said to be linked with malignant transformation of epithelium. Research-based studies covered on the probable mechanism of HIF-1α were explored using PubMed and Google Scholar. In this review, we analyzed over 40 articles from the years 2004-2021, which were published regarding the structure and function of HIF-1α, and its association with OSMF. Research articles in which HIF-1α is used separately or in combination with other biomarkers in oral submucous fibrosis have been selected.

Keywords: Biomarker; Oral Submucous Fibrosis; Esophagus; Hypoxia.