Tumor-associated vasculature and hepatic arterial supply

Tumor-associated vasculature and hepatic arterial supply refers to the specialized circulatory network that supports the growth and survival of malignant tumors, particularly those located in the liver. Unlike healthy liver tissue, which receives approximately 75% of its blood from the portal vein, liver tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are almost exclusively (80-100%) supplied by the hepatic artery (StatPearls, 2023). This unique anatomical distinction is exploited in interventional oncology through procedures like transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), which deliver therapeutic agents directly into the arterial supply to achieve high local concentrations while sparing healthy parenchyma (RadiologyInfo, 2023). Furthermore, the tumor-associated vasculature is characterized by rapid, disorganized angiogenesis driven by factors like Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), which is targeted by systemic anti-angiogenic agents such as Bevacizumab and Sorafenib (Nature Reviews Cancer, 2008). These therapies aim to induce tumor ischemia or disrupt the vessel architecture necessary for tumor progression. Consequently, this target represents a physiological compartment and a delivery route rather than a single molecular entity (Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2017).

Other names

Tumor vasculatureHepatic arterial supplyTumor blood supplyHepatic artery

Regional delivery of cytotoxic or radioactive agents via the hepatic artery to exploit tumor-specific arterial supply, or systemic inhibition of angiogenesis to disrupt tumor blood vessel formation.