Specifically, SPRY4-IT1 was found to have an oncogenic function with respect to cancer metastasis in part by promoting STAU1-mediated TCEB1 mRNA decay; this was achieved through the formation of duplexes with 3′-UTRs via Alu elements, and subsequently the upregulation of the HIF-1α signaling pathway. The gene discussed is SPRY4; the disease is cancer.