1. [Lymphangiogenesis and tumor progression].
- Author
-
Vittet D and Feige JJ
- Subjects
- Disease Progression, Humans, Lymphangiogenesis immunology, Lymphatic Metastasis, Macrophages physiology, Neoplasm Invasiveness, Neoplasm Proteins antagonists & inhibitors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C antagonists & inhibitors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C physiology, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D antagonists & inhibitors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D physiology, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 antagonists & inhibitors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 physiology, Lymphangiogenesis physiology, Neoplasm Proteins physiology
- Abstract
Numerous data show a functional link between lymphangiogenesis, lymph node invasion by tumoral cells and metastasis. During the last decade, the identification of lymphatic endothelial cell-specific markers has allowed the investigation of lymphangiogenesis regulatory mechanisms and the analysis of its involvement in tumoral progression. Among regulatory systems, the growth factors VEGF-C and D, that bind and activate their common receptor VEGFR3, appear to play an important role in this process. Therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway or, in a general manner, aiming at inhibiting tumoral lymphangiogenesis are now considered to block the development of tumoral metastasis. Further fundamental and clinical studies are clearly needed to establish the pronostic value of lymphangiogenesis and to validate anti-lymphangiogenic therapies in the treatment of metastatic cancers.
- Published
- 2007