Abstract: Recently numerous studies have demonstrated that in multiple myeloma (MM) hypoxia obviously exists the microenvironment of hypoxia, in which there is overexpression of hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-1α (HIF-1α) that is related to poor prognosis. Notch signaling pathway plays a critical role in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation in hematopoietic microenvironment, which is associated with MM occurrence and the drug resistance. The latest researches show that there are close relations between hypoxia and Notch signaling pathway in tumor occurrence and progression. Exploring the interactions of microenvironment of hypoxia, HIF-1α and Notch signaling pathway will provide theoretical basis for MM targeted therapy.

Key words: Cell hypoxia, Hypoxia-inducible factor 1, alpha subunit, Multiple myeloma, Receptor, Notch1