Interactions between non-coding RNAs and HIF-1α in the context of cancer

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) is a subunit of the HIF-1 transcription factor which is encoded by the HIF1A gene. This transcription factor is the main modulator of the cell response to hypoxia. Hypoxia-induced up-regulation of HIF-1 alpha is involved in the pathogenesis of cancer. Recently, the interactions of several long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) with HIF-1 alpha have been re-ported. These ncRNAs regulate the expression of HIF-1 alpha through different mechanisms. The regulatory roles of ncRNAs on HIF-1 alpha are involved in the response of cancer cells to a wide range of anticancer drugs such as sorafenib, cisplatin, propofol, doxorubicin, and paclitaxel. Therefore, identification of the complex network between ncRNAs and HIF-1 alpha not only facilitates the design of novel therapies but also promotes the efficacy of conventional anticancer treatments. This review aims to explain the interactions between these classes of ncRNAs and HIF-1 alpha in the context of cancer.