Mechanisms of Vasculogenic Mimicry in Ovarian Cancer

Frontiers in Oncology

Joaquín Manzo-Merino¹  Marcela Lizano²  Leslie Olmedo-Nieva⁴  Lízbeth Ayala-Domínguez⁵  Adriana Contreras-Paredes⁵  J. Omar Muñoz-Bello⁵  Imelda Martínez-Ramírez⁵ 

[1] Cátedras CONACyT-Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, Mexico;Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico;Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico;Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Bioquímicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico;Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico;

关键词: vasculogenic mimicry;    ovarian cancer;    signaling molecules;    angiogenesis;    anti-angiogenic therapy;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fonc.2019.00998

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Solid tumors carry out the formation of new vessels providing blood supply for growth, tumor maintenance, and metastasis. Several processes take place during tumor vascularization. In angiogenesis, new vessels are derived from endothelial cells of pre-existing vessels; while in vasculogenesis, new vessels are formed de novo from endothelial progenitor cells, creating an abnormal, immature, and disorganized vascular network. Moreover, highly aggressive tumor cells form structures similar to vessels, providing a pathway for perfusion; this process is named vasculogenic mimicry (VM), where vessel-like channels mimic the function of vessels and transport plasma and blood cells. VM is developed by numerous types of aggressive tumors, including ovarian carcinoma which is the second most common cause of death among gynecological cancers. VM has been associated with poor patient outcome and survival in ovarian cancer, although the involved mechanisms are still under investigation. Several signaling molecules have an important role in VM in ovarian cancer, by regulating the expression of genes related to vascular, embryogenic, and hypoxic signaling pathways. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge of the signaling molecules involved in the promotion and regulation of VM in ovarian cancer. The clinical implications and the potential benefit of identification and targeting of VM related molecules for ovarian cancer treatment are also discussed.

【 授权许可】

Unknown