In order to confirm HO-1 as a possible molecular target for brain cancer, further research should be performed considering several limitations such as paucity of in vivo studies, lack of information about the role of the HO-1 system in the glioma cell environment, the non-canonical functions of HO-1, and the epigenetic mechanisms on HO-1 gene expression. The gene discussed is HMOX1; the disease is glioma.