The Role of Hypoxia-Inducible Factors in Breast Cancer Stem Cell Specification Publisher Pubmed



Karami Fath M¹ ; Garousi S² ; Mottahedi M² ; Ghasemzadeh N³ ; Salmani K⁴ ; Olfati F⁵ ; Beit Saeed M⁶ ; Sotoudeh S⁷ ; Barati G⁸
Source: Pathology Research and Practice Published:2023

Abstract

Breast tumor is heterogeneous cancer with high morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in developing countries. Despite new efforts to reduce the breast cancer implications, the number of newly diagnosed cases is increasing worldwide. It is believed that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for the implication of cancers including breast cancer. Although CSCs compose a small population in tumor bulks, they play a crucial role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and chemotherapeutic resistance. These events are mediated by the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway which regulates the transcription of genes involved in CSC maintenance and tumorigenesis. In this review, we discussed the mechanisms by which hypoxia- or chemotherapy-induced HIFs promote breast CSC specification. © 2023 Elsevier GmbH