Hypoxia-inducible factor and cancer

• Autores: Luis del Peso Ovalle
• Localización: Revista de oncología: Publicación oficial de la Federación de Sociedades Españolas de Oncología y del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología de México, ISSN 1575-3018, Vol. 6, Nº. 1, 2004, págs. 3-11
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Oxygen is an essential requirement for mammalian cell metabolism. Cells respond to decreased oxygen tension by inducing adaptive responses aimed at restoring oxygen availability and maintaining energy balance. Most responses to hypoxia are mediated by the activation of a family of transcription factors termed hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF). HIF have been shown to regulate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) produced by hypoxic cells (such as those found in a rapidly-growing tumor mass) in an effort to increase local blood flow. As such, a role has been proposed for HIF in tumor-induced angiogenesis. Recently, the central molecular mechanism involved in the control of HIF activity by oxygen has been elucidated. Interestingly, an essential component of such a mechanism is the product of the tumor suppresser gene, vhl, and which suggests that HIF activation may contribute not only to tumor progression, but also to its genesis. In this review we discuss the involvement of HIF in the development and progression of human malignancies, and its potential value as a prognostic factor and therapeutic target.