Multifaceted Interplay between Hormones, Growth Factors and Hypoxia in the Tumor Microenvironment

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Signaling

Background:

• Hormones and growth factors (GFs) are crucial signaling molecules regulating cellular processes in both normal and cancer cells.
• Tumor progression is significantly influenced by hormonal and GF signaling pathways.
• Hypoxia, a common feature in solid tumors, drives tumor plasticity and heterogeneity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the roles of hormones and GFs in cancer development and progression.
• To emphasize the interplay between hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) in cancer.
• To discuss the impact of hypoxia on cancer immunotherapy efficacy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on hormonal and GF signaling in cancer.
• Analysis of the role of hypoxia and HIFs in tumor adaptation and progression.
• Examination of hypoxia's influence on the tumor immune microenvironment and immunotherapy outcomes.

Main Results:

• Hormones and GFs modulate HIF signaling, promoting tumor growth, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance.
• Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are central to tumor cell adaptation in hypoxic environments.
• Hypoxic conditions can lead to an immune-excluded phenotype, hindering immunotherapy effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• The intricate relationship between hormones, GFs, hypoxia, and HIFs is critical in cancer progression.
• Understanding these signaling networks is essential for developing novel cancer therapies.
• Hypoxia poses a significant challenge to current cancer immunotherapies, particularly adoptive cell therapies.