Tumor-associated vasculature

Tumor-associated vasculature refers to the disorganized and dysfunctional network of blood vessels that form within a tumor to support its metabolic demands. Unlike healthy vessels, these are often leaky, tortuous, and lack a proper basement membrane, which facilitates tumor cell intravasation and metastasis (Source: PubMed, PMID: 21832088). This system is a major focus of cancer therapy, primarily through the use of anti-angiogenic agents that inhibit growth factors like VEGF to prevent new vessel formation (Source: Nature Reviews Cancer, doi:10.1038/nrc1529). Additionally, vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) are designed to specifically target and destroy the existing endothelial lining of tumor vessels, leading to rapid tumor necrosis (Source: NIH, National Cancer Institute). While effective in slowing tumor growth, targeting the vasculature can lead to significant clinical challenges, including the development of resistance and systemic toxicities like hypertension (Source: StatPearls, NBK534810). Monitoring the efficacy of these treatments often involves imaging techniques like DCE-MRI or measuring circulating biomarkers such as VEGF (Source: PubMed, PMID: 15548694). The normalization of this vasculature is also a strategy to improve the delivery of concurrent chemotherapy and oxygen for radiotherapy (Source: PubMed, PMID: 21832088).

Other names

Tumor blood vesselsTumor neovasculatureTumor endotheliumTumor microvasculature

Inhibition of pro-angiogenic signaling pathways (e.g., VEGF/VEGFR) to prevent new vessel formation and selective disruption of established tumor endothelial cells to cause vascular collapse (Source: Nature Reviews Cancer, doi:10.1038/nrc1529; NIH, National Cancer Institute).