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Updated: Jul 12, 2025

Monitoring Functionality and Morphology of Vasculature Recruited by Factors Secreted by Fast-growing Tumor-generating Cells
Published on: November 23, 2014
Tumor Angiocrine Signaling: Novel Targeting Opportunity in Cancer
Victor Oginga Oria1, Janine Terra Erler1
1Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract:
The vascular endothelium supplies nutrients and oxygen to different body organs and supports the progression of diseases such as cancer through angiogenesis. Pathological angiogenesis remains a challenge as most patients develop resistance to the approved anti-angiogenic therapies. Therefore, a better understanding of endothelium signaling will support the development of more effective treatments. Over the past two decades, the emerging consensus suggests that the role of endothelial cells in tumor development has gone beyond angiogenesis. Instead, endothelial cells are now considered active participants in the tumor microenvironment, secreting angiocrine factors such as cytokines, growth factors, and chemokines, which instruct their proximate microenvironments. The function of angiocrine signaling is being uncovered in different fields, such as tissue homeostasis, early development, organogenesis, organ regeneration post-injury, and tumorigenesis. In this review, we elucidate the intricate role of angiocrine signaling in cancer progression, including distant metastasis, tumor dormancy, pre-metastatic niche formation, immune evasion, and therapy resistance.
Insights
Endothelial cells actively shape tumors by secreting angiocrine factors, influencing cancer progression, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. Understanding this signaling is key to developing new cancer treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- The vascular endothelium provides oxygen and nutrients and supports cancer progression via angiogenesis.
- Resistance to anti-angiogenic therapies poses a significant challenge in cancer treatment.
- Endothelial cells are increasingly recognized as active participants in the tumor microenvironment, beyond just angiogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted role of angiocrine signaling in cancer.
- To highlight how endothelial cells influence tumor progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance.
- To underscore the importance of understanding endothelium signaling for novel therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on endothelial cells and cancer.
- Analysis of angiocrine factors secreted by endothelial cells.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on endothelium-derived signaling in tumorigenesis.
Main Results:
- Endothelial cells secrete angiocrine factors (cytokines, growth factors, chemokines) that instruct the tumor microenvironment.
- Angiocrine signaling is implicated in distant metastasis, tumor dormancy, and pre-metastatic niche formation.
- Endothelial cell signaling contributes to immune evasion and resistance to cancer therapies.
Conclusions:
- Angiocrine signaling plays a critical and complex role in multiple facets of cancer progression.
- Targeting endothelial cell-derived signals offers potential for overcoming therapeutic resistance and improving cancer treatment outcomes.
- Further research into endothelium signaling is crucial for advancing oncology therapeutics.
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