Anti-angiogenesis and metastasis: a tumour and stromal cell alliance

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cancer Biology
• Tumour Microenvironment

Background:

• Tumour progression necessitates an angiogenic program orchestrated by both tumour and stromal cells.
• Antiangiogenic therapies, while impacting tumour growth, may promote invasion and metastasis.
• The tumour microenvironment, particularly stromal cells, significantly influences tumour aggressiveness and treatment response.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of the tumour-stromal cell alliance in tumour progression.
• To highlight the impact of antiangiogenic therapies on tumour invasiveness.
• To emphasize the need for therapeutic strategies targeting both tumour and stromal components.

Main Methods:

• Review of preclinical studies on antiangiogenic treatments.
• Analysis of factors contributing to tumour cell escape.
• Examination of the tumour-stromal interaction in cancer aggressiveness.

Main Results:

• Preclinical data indicate a proinvasive/metastatic effect of antiangiogenic treatments.
• Stromal cells contribute to tumour aggressiveness and mediate short-term effects of antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy.
• Hypoxia-dependent and -independent factors drive tumour cell escape by altering tumour and stromal cells.

Conclusions:

• The tumour-stromal cell alliance is a critical factor in tumour progression and metastasis.
• Targeting angiogenesis alone may have limited long-term efficacy and could promote invasiveness.
• Innovative therapeutic strategies must consider the dual targeting of tumour and stromal cells to improve clinical outcomes in cancer patients.