During the rapid expansion of primary tumour growth cancer cells often reside in an environment with limited oxygen due to inadequate blood vessel supply. The response of cancer cells to hypoxia, or low oxygen levels, involves various cellular adaptations and molecular signalling pathways that seek to remedy the lack of oxygen and nutrients occurring in this phase of tumour growth. One of the key responses to hypoxia is the activation of a transcription factor termed Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). Under normal oxygen conditions (normoxia) HIF is rapidly degraded, but during hypoxia HIF stabilizes, enters the nucleus and binds to specific DNA sequences, promoting the expression of genes involved in cellular adaptation to low oxygen levels. In response to hypoxia, cancer cells frequently release growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that stimulate the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis). This process helps to supply the tumour with oxygen and nutrients, promoting tumour survival and growth. Hypoxia also alters metabolism within cancer cells to support survival under low oxygen conditions. Cells switch from oxygen-dependent aerobic respiration to glycolysis (known as the Warburg effect), a less efficient pathway. This metabolic shift allows cancer cells to generate energy and sustain growth even in oxygen-deprived environments. Hypoxia additionally triggers a variety of adaptive mechanisms in cancer cells that serve to enhance tumour growth and cell survival. These include increased cell proliferation, reduced apoptosis (programmed cell death), and activation of autophagy, a cellular recycling process that provides critical nutrients during stressful conditions. Hypoxic conditions also contribute to the resistance of cancer cells to two main forms of anti-cancer therapy: radiation and chemotherapy. Radiation and certain chemotherapeutic agents frequently exert their cytotoxic effects by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and low oxygen levels during hypoxia result in decreased ROS formation, limiting the effectiveness of these treatments. In addition, hypoxia, by increasing angiogenesis and the recruitment of stromal cells, provides a protective niche for cancer cells impeding the penetration of chemotherapy drugs and radiation into the tumour cell compartment thereby limiting their effectiveness. Lastly, hypoxic regions within tumours can lead to the development of quiescent or "dormant" cancer cells. These cells are often in a state of low metabolic activity and are thereby less susceptible to the effects of radiation and anti-proliferative types of chemotherapy, which often target rapidly dividing cells. It is thought that post-therapy these quiescent or dormant cancer cells can later resume proliferation and contribute to tumour recurrence or subsequent resistance to treatment. We provide a large product range of research reagents for studying the response to hypoxia, including Bcl-2 antibodies, Transferrin Receptor antibodies, CD38 antibodies, Adiponectin ELISA Kits, and IL18 ELISA Kits. Explore our full response to hypoxia product range below and discover more, for less.