EPO and neoplasm: Mediated by HIF-1α, tumor cells up-regulate a range of genes related to the glycolytic metabolism, angiogenesis, tumor cell survival and erythropoiesis [11], including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) [12], erythrogenin (EPO), glucose transporter (GLUT) [13] and some other glycolytic enzymes, ultimately promoting the Warburg effect.