In HCC, HIF-1α functions as an oncogene, mediating cell proliferation, tumor chemoresistance, metastasis, glycolysis and angiogenesis (Wu et al., 2016; Abu-Remaileh et al., 2018; Qin et al., 2018; Wen et al., 2019). The gene discussed is HIF1A; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.