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Updated: May 8, 2026

Monitoring Functionality and Morphology of Vasculature Recruited by Factors Secreted by Fast-growing Tumor-generating Cells
09:03

Monitoring Functionality and Morphology of Vasculature Recruited by Factors Secreted by Fast-growing Tumor-generating Cells

Published on: November 23, 2014

Vascular galectins: regulators of tumor progression and targets for cancer therapy

Victor L Thijssen1, Gabriel A Rabinovich, Arjan W Griffioen

  • 1Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews
|August 15, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Galectins, proteins involved in cancer progression, are key targets for therapy. Understanding their role in tumor blood vessels offers new therapeutic strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Galectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins with diverse roles in cancer.
  • They influence tumor cell transformation, angiogenesis, immune evasion, and metastasis.
  • Galectins expressed by tumor endothelial cells are crucial for cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of galectins in tumor progression, particularly those expressed by endothelial cells.
  • To highlight galectins as potential therapeutic targets in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • This study reviews the known functions of galectins in cancer progression.
  • It focuses on the specific contributions of endothelial galectins within the tumor vasculature.

Main Results:

  • Galectins promote key steps in cancer progression, including angiogenesis and metastasis.
  • Endothelial galectins play a significant role in supporting tumor growth and spread.
  • Targeting galectins in the tumor vasculature presents a promising therapeutic avenue.

Conclusions:

  • Galectins are multifunctional targets for cancer therapy.
  • Understanding the role of galectins in tumor endothelium is vital for developing effective galectin-targeting therapies.
Keywords:
AngiogenesisEndothelial cellsEndotheliumImmune responseMetastasis

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