HIF‐1α is a critical regulator of metastatic niche formation in the development of breast cancer (BrCa) probably through induction of LOXL2.26 Retarding HIF‐1α (knockdown/deficiency), or reducing hypoxia‐induced LOX family members in BrCa suppresses primary tumor growth in parallel with the metastasis of BrCa cells to the lungs. The gene discussed is LOX; the disease is breast cancer.