[Lymphangiogenesis and new markers for lymphatic endothelium]

To summarise recent knowledge about lymphangiogenesis, markers of the lymphatic endothelium and their importance to the tumor dissemination.

A literature review.

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty, Palacký University, University Hospital, Olomouc.

Clinicopathological data suggest that the lymphatics are an initial route for the spread of solid tumors. Detection of sentinel lymph nodes by biopsy provides significant information for staging and designing therapeutic regimens. The role of angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels) in facilitating the growth of tumors has been well established, but the presence of lymphatic vessels and the relevance of lymphangiogenesis (formation of new lymphatics) to tumor spread are less clear. Growth factors involved in lymphangiogenesis during embryogenesis have been recently identified and showed to be able to induce formation of intratumoral lymphatics and thus facilitate metastatic spread to lymph nodes. The development of approaches to block tumor lymphangiogenesis and treat lymphedema would benefit from the availability of markers specific for lymphatic endothelium.