 The hypoxia-inducible factor, 1, HIF-1, has been recognized as a crucial cancer drug target due to its strong correlation with tumor metastasis, angiogenesis, poor patient prognosis and resistance therapy. Hypoxic tumor cells activate several survival pathways including the HIF-1 alpha pathway, which is a crucial survival pathway for cancer cells. Recent advances in cancer biology have highlighted the development of novel strategies of cancer therapy targeting this important pathway, despite the challenges faced in targeting the HIF-1 alpha pathway. This article was authored by Georgina N. Massoud and Whaley.