Abstract: Hypoxia-inducible factor-1（HIF-1） is an oxygen-dependent transcriptional activator produced by cells and tissues under hypoxic conditions. Recent research indicates that HIF-1 is closely related with the generation and maintenance of cancer stem cells（CSCs）. Moreover， HIF-1 can regulate multiple signaling pathways related to CSCs， promote the invasion， metastasis， epithelial mesenchymal transition and angiogenesis of CSCs， enhance tumor resistance and reduce apoptosis under hypoxic conditions. Since HIF-1 is closed related with the generation and development of CSCs， the strategies targeting HIF-1 may play an important role for inhibiting and killing CSCs.