Title:Vascular Mimicry: Concepts and Implications for Anti-Angiogenic Therapy
Volume: 1
Issue: 2
Author(s): James M. Dunleavey and Andrew C. Dudley
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Vascular mimicry, tumor, angiogenesis, tumor endothelial cells, tumor microenvironment, Anti-Angiogenic Therapy, neovascularization, intussusception
Abstract: As in normal tissues, solid tumors depend on vascular networks to supply blood, oxygen, and nutrients. Tumor
blood vessels are formed by common processes of neovascularization for example endothelial sprouting. However, some
tumors have alternative and unexpected mechanisms of neovascularization at their disposal. In a process termed "vascular
mimicry," tumors create their own, tumor cell-lined channels for fluid transport independent of typical modes of angiogenesis.
These tumor cell-lined conduits may express endothelial-selective markers and anti-coagulant factors which allow
for anastamosis with host endothelium. In this review, we explore the current status of vascular mimicry research,
highlighting recent evidence which strengthens the hypothesis for this unusual ability of tumor cells. Furthermore, we address
the theoretical possibility that vascular mimicry provides a mechanism whereby tumors could escape antiangiogenic
therapies.
