HK2 and cancer: In addition, the expression of HIF-1α-regulated downstream proteins (Glut1, HK-II, PFK-1, VEGF, caveolin-1, etc.)was also decreased, and emodin inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK/1/2 and downregulated intracellular signaling to reduce HIF-1α levels and attenuate cancer cachexia in athymic mice carrying cancer cells 148.