| Hypoxia-inducible factor-1, HIF-1, is a transcription factor upregulated by hypoxia and oncogenic changes in tumors. Most tumors are known to be hypoxic with HIF-1 being induced to serve its role as a survival factor by activating several genes that either result in angiogenesis (e.g. VEGF), vasodilatation (e.g. iNOS), or glycolysis (e.g. LDH-A), all processes to conserve the metabolic needs of the tumor during hypoxia. In view of the collaborative research program between the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center JHOC and our Department, research on the role of HIF-1 in breast cancer has been initiated. Early data show a significant upregulation of HIF-1a protein in pre-invasive and invasive lesions of the breast. |
