Lymphangiogenesis in malignant tumours: does it occur?

Citation
R. Clarijs et al., Lymphangiogenesis in malignant tumours: does it occur?, J PATHOLOGY, 193(2), 2001, pp. 143-146
Citations number
47
Categorie Soggetti
Research/Laboratory Medicine & Medical Tecnology","Medical Research Diagnosis & Treatment
Journal title
JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
ISSN journal
00223417 → ACNP
Volume
193
Issue
2
Year of publication
2001
Pages
143 - 146
Database
ISI
SICI code
0022-3417(200102)193:2<143:LIMTDI>2.0.ZU;2-9
Abstract
The development of a vascular bed is essential for solid tumour growth and metastasis, In many rumours, mean vascular density can be related to the ra te of metastasis and, therefore, to prognosis. In other tumour types, such as cutaneous melanoma and head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma, this relat ion is absent. Until now, the reason for this has been unclear, but since t hese particular tumour types are also known for their propensity to spread via the lymphatic system, it may be speculated that the presence of a pre-e xisting lymphatic bed and the formation of new lymphatics (lymphangiogenesi s) are important factors, Growth factors involved in lymphangiogenesis duri ng embryogenesis have been recently identified and these are also expressed in many tumour types, but the existence of tumour-induced lymphangiogenesi s has not so far been reported. Partly, this could be due to the lack of re liable endothelial markers, thereby hampering a consistent evaluation of ly mphatic vasculature, This editorial discusses the role of the lymphatic bed in mediating the metastasis of solid rumours, summarizes known methods to detect lymphatics, and proposes a hypothetical mechanism of tumour-induced lymphangiogenesis, Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.