Hypoxia-mediated activation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 in triple-negative breast cancer: A review

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer (BC) that is highly aggressive and hypoxic compared with other subtypes. The role of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) as a key hypoxic transcription factor in oncogenic processes has been extensively studied. Recently, it has been shown that HIF-1 alpha regulates the complex biological processes of TNBC, such as glycolysis, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis, BC stem cells enrichment, and immune escape, to promote TNBC survival and development through the activation of downstream target genes. This article discusses the expression of the HIF-1 alpha transcription factor in TNBC and the Hypoxia-mediated activation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha in triple-negative BC. It offers a fresh approach to clinical research and treatment for TNBC.