Decreased aerobic (hypoxic) conditions in tumors induce the release of cyto
kines that promote vascularization and thereby enhance tumor growth and met
astasis. Recent major advances have provided insight into the role hypoxia
plays in cancer biology. The domain structure of the hypoxia-inducible fact
or 1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) has been elucidated, as has the mechanism by which
stabilization of HIF-1 alpha leads to initiation of the transcription of t
arget genes involved in growth of blood vessels.