TY - JOUR
T1 - Signalling pathways in vasculogenic mimicry
AU - Paulis, Yvette W. J.
AU - Soetekouw, Patricia M. M. B.
AU - Verheul, Henk M W
AU - Tjan-Heijnen, Vivianne C. G.
AU - Griffioen, Arjan W.
PY - 2010/8
Y1 - 2010/8
N2 - Solid tumour growth is dependent on the development of an adequate blood supply. For years, sprouting angiogenesis has been considered an exclusive mechanism of tumour vascularization. However, over the last years, several other mechanisms have been identified, including vessel-co-option, intussusception, recruitment of endothelial precursor cells (EPCs) and even mechanisms that do not involve endothelial cells, a process called vasculogenic mimicry (VM). The latter describes a mechanism by which highly aggressive tumour cells can form vessel-like structures themselves, by virtue of their high plasticity. VM has been observed in several tumour types and its occurrence is strongly associated with a poor prognosis. This review will focus on signalling molecules and cascades involved in VM. In addition, we will discuss the presence of VM in relation to ongoing cancer research. Finally, we describe the clinical significance of VM regarding anti-angiogenesis treatment modalities.
AB - Solid tumour growth is dependent on the development of an adequate blood supply. For years, sprouting angiogenesis has been considered an exclusive mechanism of tumour vascularization. However, over the last years, several other mechanisms have been identified, including vessel-co-option, intussusception, recruitment of endothelial precursor cells (EPCs) and even mechanisms that do not involve endothelial cells, a process called vasculogenic mimicry (VM). The latter describes a mechanism by which highly aggressive tumour cells can form vessel-like structures themselves, by virtue of their high plasticity. VM has been observed in several tumour types and its occurrence is strongly associated with a poor prognosis. This review will focus on signalling molecules and cascades involved in VM. In addition, we will discuss the presence of VM in relation to ongoing cancer research. Finally, we describe the clinical significance of VM regarding anti-angiogenesis treatment modalities.
KW - Angiogenesis
KW - Cancer
KW - Plasticity
KW - Signalling pathways
KW - Vasculogenesis
KW - Vasculogenic mimicry
U2 - 10.1016/j.bbcan.2010.01.001
DO - 10.1016/j.bbcan.2010.01.001
M3 - Article
C2 - 20079807
SN - 0304-419X
VL - 1806
SP - 18
EP - 28
JO - Biochimica et Biophysica Acta-reviews on Cancer
JF - Biochimica et Biophysica Acta-reviews on Cancer
IS - 1
ER -