Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Microarray-based Identification of Individual HERV Loci Expression: Application to Biomarker Discovery in Prostate Cancer
Published on: November 2, 2013
Genes expressed in human tumor endothelium
B St Croix1, C Rago, V Velculescu
1Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
Researchers compared gene expression in normal and tumor blood vessel cells. They identified specific molecular markers on tumor endothelium, distinct from normal cells, which could inform anti-angiogenesis therapies.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Tumor angiogenesis is crucial for cancer growth and metastasis.
- Understanding the molecular differences between normal and tumor vasculature is key for targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify molecular differences in endothelial cells between normal and malignant colorectal tissues.
- To discover novel tumor endothelial markers for potential therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression profiling of endothelial cells isolated from normal and tumor colorectal tissues.
- Differential expression analysis to identify significantly altered transcripts.
Main Results:
- Over 170 endothelial-predominant transcripts were analyzed.
- 79 transcripts showed differential expression, with 46 specifically elevated in tumor endothelium.
- Identified tumor endothelial markers were also found in normal vessels during wound healing and corpus luteum formation.
Conclusions:
- Tumor and normal endothelium exhibit distinct molecular profiles.
- Novel tumor endothelial markers may serve as targets for anti-angiogenic therapies.
- These findings highlight the potential for developing targeted treatments for angiogenesis-dependent diseases.
Related Concept Videos
Cancer
Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...

