Role of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) in the initiation of cancer and its therapeutic inhibitors

Abstract

The inadequate oxygen (O2) supply to a large extent alters the cellular microenvironment and results in hypoxia or even anoxia. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) facilitates the cellular response to hypoxia. HIF, a heterodimer composed of two subunits, the subunit α and subunit β, is involved in several signaling pathways which involves both survival and death pathways, their activation and regulation. HIF is believed to be the best molecular target in the treatment of cancer, and also numerous inhibitors for HIF-1α are available today. This chapter explains the HIF-1α role in cancer and its therapeutic applications that potentially target HIF pathway.