F. Hernández y Juan F. Madrid. Universidad de Murcia: Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología
Abstract
Emerging evidence shows that cyclic
hypoxia exists in most solid cancers. It is believed that
under cyclic hypoxic conditions cancer cells exhibit
more malignant biological behaviors than under chronic
hypoxic conditions. In this review, we provide a
collection of evidence showing the molecular
mechanisms by which cyclic hypoxia induces
aggressiveness, malignant progression, and therapeutic
resistance in cancers. Moreover, we propose that cyclic
hypoxia is responsible for the regulation of cancer stem
cells, which possess typical biological characteristics of
therapeutic resistance. Based on the present findings,
some key factors regulated by cyclic hypoxia may serve
as potential targets for the prevention of malignant
progression and the treatment of solid cancers. Much
research is necessary to gain further insights into the
biological aspects of cyclic hypoxia in the development
and progression of cancers