Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
09:03
Monitoring Functionality and Morphology of Vasculature Recruited by Factors Secreted by Fast-growing Tumor-generating Cells
Published on: November 23, 2014
Tumor angiogenesis in melanoma.
1Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Building 149, 13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA. alexander_marneros@yahoo.com
Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America
|May 26, 2009
Summary
Combining angiogenesis inhibitors with other treatments shows promise for metastatic melanoma. Understanding melanoma tumor angiogenesis mechanisms is crucial for targeted antiangiogenic therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Metastatic melanoma treatment is an active area of clinical research.
- Angiogenesis inhibitors are being investigated for their therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of understanding melanoma tumor angiogenesis.
- To emphasize the need for combination therapies in metastatic melanoma treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of current clinical studies on angiogenesis inhibitors in metastatic melanoma.
- Analysis of the mechanisms underlying melanoma tumor angiogenesis.
Main Results:
- Combination therapy (angiogenesis inhibitors + cytotoxic agents/other modalities) appears more effective than monotherapy.
- A deep understanding of melanoma angiogenesis is essential for targeted antiangiogenic strategies.
Conclusions:
- Combined therapeutic approaches are likely to yield greater clinical benefit for metastatic melanoma patients.
- Targeted antiangiogenic treatment requires comprehensive knowledge of tumor angiogenesis mechanisms.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Mechanism of Angiogenesis
Blood vessel formation starts early during embryonic development, around day 7. In the extraembryonic yolk sac, mesodermal precursor cells called hemangioblast proliferate and differentiate into angioblast. Angioblasts express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 or VEGFR2, which binds VEGF-A, a proangiogenic factor, guiding blood vessel formation. VEGF signaling promotes angioblasts to form a blood island in the developing embryo. Angioblasts further differentiate, giving rise to...
01:24Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits. Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
02:07Tumor Progression
Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
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...
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...
02:07Tumor Progression
Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
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...
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...
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The mTOR pathway or the...