Role of EFNA1 in tumorigenesis and prospects for cancer therapy

Cancer is one of the major threats to human health. It is of vital importance to reveal the mechanisms of tumorigenesis, identify effective biomarkers and develop novel treatments to improve patient outcome. EFNA1 (ephrinA1) is a member of the EFN family, and it has been studied extensively since its discovery in 1990. Increasing evidence indicates that EFNA1 plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of tumors. We provide a detailed overview of the expression and prognostic value of EFNA1 in different types of human malignancies. We briefly discuss the mechanisms of EFNA1 induction in hypoxic environments and its pro-angiogenic function in different cancer cells. We describe the effects of EFNA1 on tumor growth, invasiveness and metastasis. We summarize recent advances in EFNA1-associated cancer therapeutics with emphasis on the prospect of novel anti-tumor methods based on EFNA1.