An unexpected role for EGF in lymphangiogenesis-mediated melanoma metastasis to sentinel lymph nodes

Discerning lymphatics from blood vessels using lineage-specific markers has advanced our understanding of tumor lymphangiogenesis. Many studies have demonstrated that the newly formed lymphatics are the result of a dynamic and complex interplay between lymphatic endothelium, tumor cells, secreted growth factors, and inhibitors in the tumor microenvironment. Results provide evidence that lymphatics play an active role in cancer metastasis rather than once thought to be passively invaded by infiltrating tumor cells. The latest discovery of Bracher et al. (2012) further supports a dynamic role for lymphatics-mediated melanoma metastasis to sentinel lymph node prompted by tumor-derived epidermal growth factor.