Hypoxia signaling in cancer: HIF-1α stimulated by COVID-19 can lead to cancer progression and chemo-resistance in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)

Abstract

The potential implications of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) development, chemo-resistance, tumor recurrence, and patient outcomes are explored, emphasizing the urgent need for tailored therapeutic strategies to mitigate these risks. The role of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1 alpha) in OSCC studies has highlighted HIF-1 alpha as a crucial prognostic marker in OSCC, with implications for disease prognosis and patient survival. Its overexpression has been linked to aggressive subtypes in early OSCC stages, indicating its significance as an early biomarker for disease progression. Moreover, dysplastic lesions with heightened HIF-1 alpha expression exhibit a greater propensity for malignant transformation, underscoring its role in early oral carcinogenesis. Cancer patients, including those with OSCC, face an elevated risk of severe COVID-19 complications, which may further impact cancer progression and treatment outcomes. Understanding the interplay between COVID-19 infection, HIF-1 alpha activation, and OSCC pathogenesis is crucial for enhancing clinical management strategies. So, insights from this review shed light on the significance of HIF-1 alpha in OSCC tumorigenesis, metastasis formation, and patient prognosis. The review underscores the need for further research to elucidate the precise mechanisms through which HIF-1 alpha modulates cancer progression and chemo-resistance in the context of COVID-19 infection. Such knowledge is essential for developing targeted therapeutic interventions to improve outcomes for OSCC patients.