Cited by 245Cancer, Hypoxia, and MetabolismErythropoietin and Anemia TreatmentAngiogenesis and VEGF in Cancer

Targeting hypoxia-inducible factors: therapeutic opportunities and challenges

Open access
Yuan, Xiaoyi, Ruan, Wei, Bobrow, Bentley, Carmeliet, Peter, Eltzschig, Holger K.·2024·Nature Reviews Drug Discovery

Abstract

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are highly conserved transcription factors that are crucial for adaptation of metazoans to limited oxygen availability. Recently, HIF activation and inhibition have emerged as therapeutic targets in various human diseases. Pharmacologically desirable effects of HIF activation include erythropoiesis stimulation, cellular metabolism optimization during hypoxia and adaptive responses during ischaemia and inflammation. By contrast, HIF inhibition has been explored as a therapy for various cancers, retinal neovascularization and pulmonary hypertension. This Review discusses the biochemical mechanisms that control HIF stabilization and the molecular strategies that can be exploited pharmacologically to activate or inhibit HIFs. In addition, we examine medical conditions that benefit from targeting HIFs, the potential side effects of HIF activation or inhibition and future challenges in this field. This Review discusses the mechanisms that regulate stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), and the pharmacological strategies to activate or inhibit HIFs in diseases such as ischaemia, inflammation, cancer, retinal neovascularization and pulmonary hypertension.

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Crossref · 10.1038/s41573-023-00848-6

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  • Adverse events with HIF-targeted agents are mechanistically informative and context-dependent, supporting patient selection, biomarker-guided monitoring, and agent-specific risk mitigation during prolonged therapy.

    “Overall, adverse events with HIF-targeted agents are mechanistically informative and context-dependent, supporting patient selection, biomarker-guided monitoring, and agent-specific risk mitigation during prolonged therapy [37].”

    From HIF inhibition: Current strategies and clinical challenges (2026) · cites this paper as [37]

  • The most frequent on-target toxicity with HIF-2 inhibitors (PT2385; belzutifan) is anemia from suppression of renal/hepatic erythropoietin.

    “The most frequent on-target toxicity with HIF-2 inhibitors (PT2385; belzutifan) is anemia from suppression of renal/hepatic erythropoietin.”

    From HIF inhibition: Current strategies and clinical challenges (2026) · cites this paper as [37]

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Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. [21]Ivan M HIFalpha targeted for VHL-mediated destruction by proline hydroxylation: implications for O2 sensing. Science 292, 464– 468 (2001). 11292862 This study reports the identification of VHL tumour suppressor protein as a key molecule in the oxygen-dependent degradation of HIFα.
  2. [38]Lee JW, Ko J, Ju C & Eltzschig HK Hypoxia signaling in human diseases and therapeutic targets. Exp. Mol. Med. 51, 1– 13 (2019). PMC6586801 31221962
  3. [182]Pelosci A LITESPARK-005 trial reveals PFS benefit of belzutifan in advanced RCC. Cancer Network, Home of the Journal ONCOLOGY (23 August 2023).
  4. [197]Tang H Endothelial HIF-2alpha contributes to severe pulmonary hypertension due to endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell Mol. Physiol. 314, L256– L275 (2018). 29074488 PMC5866501
  5. [237]Chen N, Hao C & Liu B A phase 3, randomized, open-label, active-controlled study of efficacy and safety of roxadustat for treatment of anemia in subjects with CKD on dialysis. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 29, B5 (2018).

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Authors
Yuan, X., Ruan, W., Bobrow, B., Carmeliet, P., & Eltzschig, H. K.
Affiliations
  • The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (US)
  • Central South University (CN)
  • Khalifa University of Science and Technology (AE)
  • Outcomes Research Consortium (US)
Corresponding author
  • Yuan, Xiaoyi
  • Eltzschig, Holger K.
Venue
Nature Reviews Drug Discovery
Published
2023-12-20
Volume
23
Issue
3
Pages
175-200
ISSN
  • 1474-1776 (ISSN-L)
  • 1474-1784
OpenAlex
W4390038502
Cited by
245
References
317
Citations by year
2026: 100 · 2025: 96 · 2024: 48 · 2023: 1
FWCI
7.73
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Reviews Drug Discovery (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Lirias (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Digital Commons-TMC (Texas Medical Center) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • U.S. Department of Defense (W81XWH2110032)
  • Akebia Therapeutics
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL154720, R01HL165748, R01HL169519, R01HL155950)
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (T32GM135118)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK122796)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Erythropoietin and Anemia Treatment
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Angiogenesis and VEGF in Cancer
Keywords
hypoxia-inducible factor, HIF stabilization, HIF activation, HIF inhibition, oxygen sensing, erythropoiesis, ischemia, inflammation, cancer therapy, retinal neovascularization, pulmonary hypertension, pharmacological targeting, adverse effects
MeSH terms
Hypoxia, Humans, Neoplasms, Oxygen, Transcription Factors, Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors, Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins

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