Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Isolation and Culture Expansion of Tumor-specific Endothelial Cells
Published on: October 14, 2015
Role of copper in tumour angiogenesis--clinical implications
Anna Nasulewicz1, Andrzej Mazur, Adam Opolski
1Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, UI. R Weigla 12, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland.
Abstract:
The formation of new blood vessels is the initial step in progressive tumour development and metastasis. The first stage in tumour angiogenesis is the activation of endothelial cells. Copper ions stimulate proliferation and migration of endothelial cells. It has been shown that serum copper concentration increases as the cancer disease progresses and correlates with tumour incidence and burden. Copper ions also activate several proangiogenic factors, e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, tumour necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1. This review concerns a brief introduction into the basics of tumour blood vessel development as well as the regulatory mechanisms of this process. The role of copper ions in tumour angiogenesis is discussed. The new antiangiogenic therapies based on a reduction of copper levels in tumour microenvironment are reviewed.
Related Concept Videos
Mechanism of Angiogenesis
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
The Tumor Microenvironment
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...