Growing evidence from experimental studies and clinical trials suggests a fundamental role of hypoxia in solid tumors.  The mechanisms leading to hypoxia include the rapid rate of tumor growth, poor tumor perfusion or transiently disrupted tumor blood flow.  Now, scientists from the University of Pennsylvania, led by Professor Cameron J. Koch, have discovered a previously uncharacterized mechanism that contributes to – and may influence -  the temporal and spatial distribution of tumor hypoxia.

Hypoxic cancer cells represent the most aggressive type of a tumor. In case of malignant tumors they tend to be resistant to radio therapy, and low oxygen concentration can actually enhance metastasis. Thus, hypoxia – labeled accordingly as a poor prognostic factor – is emerging as an important, high-priority target for cancer therapy. Continue reading →