[Research progresses in cancer stem cell and its vascular microenvironment]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cancer Biology
• Tumor Microenvironment

Context:

• Malignant tumor growth and development involve cancer stem cells (CSCs) and angiogenesis.
• Research on the interplay between CSCs and the vascular microenvironment is rapidly expanding.
• CSCs and the vascular niche exhibit complex, bidirectional interactions influencing disease progression.

Purpose:

• To review the current understanding of the mutual interactions between CSCs and the vascular microenvironment.
• To summarize recent advancements in targeted therapies addressing this CSC-vascular crosstalk.
• To provide insights for future preclinical and clinical investigations.

Summary:

• CSCs can promote angiogenesis, contributing to tumor growth.
• The vascular microenvironment influences the maintenance and induction of stemness in CSCs.
• Emerging mechanisms governing these interactions are continuously being elucidated.

Impact:

• Highlights the critical role of CSCs and angiogenesis in tumorigenesis.
• Identifies potential therapeutic strategies targeting the CSC-vascular axis.
• Informs future research directions for cancer treatment and drug development.