Abstract: Hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1), an important transcription factor, has recently been recognized as a therapeutic target for tumors.HIF-1 expression is associated with poor prognosis of tumors as well as to the sensitivity of radiotherapy and chemotherapy to malignancies.HIF-1 is important to maintain the stable conditions of oxygen, cell energy metabolism, tumor vasifaction, cell proliferation, and apoptosis.In this study, we reviewed the relationship between HIF-1α expression, possible carcinogenic mechanisms, pathological and clinical characteristics, and therapy as well as prognosis of gastric cancer.