Roles of hypoxia in tumor progression and novel strategies for cancer treatment

The metabolic process of normal cells in general and cancer particular requires an important molecule—oxygen. In tumors, the oxygen level tends to decrease gradually from outer layers central core, leading a condition termed ``hypoxia.'' Changes modify signaling pathways activities cells. Basically, tumor development is divided into three stages: initiation, promotion, progression. Among them, effects hypoxia are most evident during this review, we summarize previous findings on mechanisms underlying hypoxia-induced alterations expression genes proteins associated with hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), which play role malignancy many types cancer. We also present latest evidence HIF-targeted treatment that yields positive outcomes vitro vivo.