HIF1α and HIF2α: Sibling Rivalry in Hypoxic Tumour Growth and Progression

Overview

Journal Nat Rev Cancer

Specialty Oncology

Date 2011 Dec 16

PMID 22169972

Citations 951

Authors

Brian Keith

Randall S Johnson

M Celeste Simon

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are broadly expressed in human cancers, and HIF1α and HIF2α were previously suspected to promote tumour progression through largely overlapping functions. However, this relatively simple model has now been challenged in light of recent data from various approaches that reveal unique and sometimes opposing activities of these HIFα isoforms in both normal physiology and disease. These effects are mediated in part through the regulation of unique target genes, as well as through direct and indirect interactions with important oncoproteins and tumour suppressors, including MYC and p53. As HIF inhibitors are currently undergoing clinical evaluation as cancer therapeutics, a more thorough understanding of the unique roles performed by HIF1α and HIF2α in human neoplasia is warranted.

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