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Updated: Jun 1, 2026
08:52
Intravital Microscopy of Tumor-associated Vasculature Using Advanced Dorsal Skinfold Window Chambers on Transgenic Fluorescent Mice
Published on: January 19, 2018
Tumor exploits alternative strategies to achieve vascularization
Benedetta Bussolati1, Cristina Grange, Giovanni Camussi
1Department of Internal Medicine, Research Center for Experimental Medicine and Center for Molecular Biotechnology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.
Summary
Tumor blood vessel formation is more complex than previously thought. Tumor endothelial cells have unique traits, challenging current anti-cancer therapies and suggesting new treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Neoangiogenesis is vital for solid tumor growth and metastasis.
- Current antiangiogenic therapies assume stable tumor vasculature.
- Recent findings reveal tumor endothelial cells have distinct, unstable phenotypes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms of intratumoral angiogenesis and vasculogenesis.
- To discuss the implications of these mechanisms for antiangiogenic therapy response.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on tumor vascularization.
- Analysis of molecular and functional differences in tumor endothelial cells.
- Exploration of alternative tumor vascularization strategies.
Main Results:
- Tumor endothelial cells exhibit genetic instability and unique phenotypes.
- Tumor vascularization can arise from intratumoral vasculogenesis, not just angiogenesis.
- Mechanisms include stem/progenitor cell differentiation and genetic transfer via exosomes/microvesicles.
Conclusions:
- Tumor vascularization is a multifaceted process involving angiogenesis and vasculogenesis.
- The plasticity of tumor endothelial cells challenges existing antiangiogenic therapies.
- Understanding these mechanisms may lead to improved therapeutic strategies.
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