The Impact of Hypoxia on Carcinogenesis: Mechanisms and Metabolic alterations in Cancer microenvironment

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.5585125070115

• Palavras-chave: '

• Keywords: Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia, Cancer Adaptation to Hypoxia, Hypoxia-Induced Pathways, Hypoxia-Responsive Genes, Molecular mechanisms in Hypoxia, Hypoxia and cancers

• Abstract: Hypoxia, or low oxygen availability, plays a major role in carcinogenesis by influencing the growth and metastasis of cancers. The lowered oxygen levels in rapidly growing tumors compel cancer cells to alter their molecular composition and metabolism in order to live and proliferate. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) mainly control these alterations; HIF-1α and HIF-2α, in particular, stimulate the expression of genes related to invasion, angiogenesis, metabolic reprogramming, and metastasis. These changes facilitate the development of tumors in hypoxic environments and increase resistance to traditional treatments. Hypoxia has an effect on a variety of cancer progression, increasing the risk of malignancy and decreasing the prognosis. This study investigates the fundamental processes by which hypoxia affects the biology of tumors. These processes include the encouragement of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), increased angiogenesis through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and the switch from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis. Here in this review we try to explain the overall intricate interplay of metabolic and molecular mechanisms within the cancer microenvironment related to hypoxic condition which not only enhances tumour growth but also contributes to therapeutic resistance, making hypoxia as a crucial scenario for cancer treatment strategies.