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

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 α (HIF-1α), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in recurrence. HCC patients receiving UGMWA were divided into recurrence and no-recurrence groups. The preoperative and postoperative risk factors were compared between these two groups. Preoperative and postoperative serum levels of HIF-1α, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were closely associated with the recurrence of HCC. Serum HIF-1α level was increased, while serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were decreased in HCC patients with recurrence. HIF-1α, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were associated with and predicted the recurrence of HCC after UGMWA, respectively or in combination.