Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Intravital Microscopy of Tumor-associated Vasculature Using Advanced Dorsal Skinfold Window Chambers on Transgenic Fluorescent Mice
08:52

Intravital Microscopy of Tumor-associated Vasculature Using Advanced Dorsal Skinfold Window Chambers on Transgenic Fluorescent Mice

Published on: January 19, 2018

Tumor vascular endothelium: barrier or target in tumor directed drug delivery and immunotherapy

G Molema1, L F de Leij, D K Meijer

  • 1Dept. Pharmacokinetics and Drug Delivery, University Center for Pharmacy, Groningen, the Netherlands.

Pharmaceutical Research
|January 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Targeting tumor vasculature offers new strategies for solid tumor treatment. Modulating tumor blood vessels can improve drug delivery and enhance immune responses against cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Drug Delivery

Background:

  • Tumor vasculature presents a significant barrier to conventional cancer therapies, limiting drug penetration and immune cell infiltration.
  • Tumor endothelial cells downregulate adhesion molecules, hindering host immune defense against cancer.
  • Tumor blood supply is a critical factor for tumor growth, making vasculature a key therapeutic target.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore novel therapeutic strategies targeting solid tumor vasculature.
  • To enhance drug delivery and immune responses by manipulating tumor blood vessels.
  • To identify specific targets within the tumor vasculature for improved cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Inhibiting angiogenesis using angiogenesis inhibitors.
  • Utilizing angiogenesis-related factors as targets for drug delivery.
  • Identifying glycoproteins on tumor endothelial cells or in the tumor stroma as therapeutic targets.
  • Developing agents to increase tumor vascular permeability for enhanced drug accumulation.
  • Manipulating endothelial cell adhesion molecules to promote anti-tumor immunity.

Main Results:

  • Tumor vasculature limits the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutics and immunotherapies.
  • Targeting tumor endothelial cells, basement membrane, or stroma offers new therapeutic avenues.
  • Angiogenesis inhibition and blocking tumor blood flow are viable strategies.
  • Specific molecular targets on tumor vasculature can be exploited for site-specific drug delivery.
  • Modulating endothelial cell adhesion molecules can potentially restore host anti-tumor immune activity.

Conclusions:

  • The tumor vasculature is a critical and druggable target for solid tumor therapy.
  • Novel approaches focusing on tumor vascular modulation can overcome treatment barriers.
  • Targeting tumor vasculature holds promise for improving drug delivery, enhancing immune surveillance, and ultimately, treating cancer more effectively.

More Related Videos

Assessing Tumor Microenvironment of Metastasis Doorway-Mediated Vascular Permeability Associated with Cancer Cell Dissemination using Intravital Imaging and Fixed Tissue Analysis09:42

Assessing Tumor Microenvironment of Metastasis Doorway-Mediated Vascular Permeability Associated with Cancer Cell Dissemination using Intravital Imaging and Fixed Tissue Analysis

Published on: June 26, 2019

Preparation Of Neovascular Tissues from Human Glioma Tissues for Quantitative Proteomics Analysis of Tumor Angiogenesis09:33

Preparation Of Neovascular Tissues from Human Glioma Tissues for Quantitative Proteomics Analysis of Tumor Angiogenesis

Published on: March 20, 2026

Related Concept Videos

The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted01:24

Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted

Site-targeted drug delivery systems enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity and treatment costs. Unlike conventional methods, these systems ensure precise drug delivery, improving bioavailability and reducing side effects. Targeted drug delivery is classified into three levels. First-order targeting directs drugs to the capillary beds of specific organs or tissues. Second-order targets specific cell types, such as tumor cells, using receptor-mediated interactions.