Targeting of endothelial cells in brain tumours

Aggressive brain tumours, whether primary gliomas or secondary metastases, are characterised by hypervascularisation and are fatal. Recent research has emphasised the crucial involvement of endothelial cells (ECs) in all brain tumour genesis and development events, with various patterns and underlying mechanisms identified.

Here, we highlight recent advances in knowledge about the contributions of ECs to brain tumour development, providing a comprehensive summary including descriptions of interactions between ECs and tumour cells, the heterogeneity of ECs and new models for research on ECs in brain malignancies. We also discuss prospects for EC targeting in novel therapeutic approaches.

Interventions targeting ECs, as an adjunct to other therapies (e.g. immunotherapies, molecular-targeted therapies), have shown promising clinical efficacy due to the high degree of vascularisation in brain tumours. Developing precise strategies to target tumour-associated vessels based on the heterogeneity of ECs is expected to improve anti-vascular efficacy.