Angiogenesis and Lymphangiogenesis in Tumors: Insights from Intravital Microscopy
This extract was created in the absence of an abstract.
Excerpt
A solid tumor is an organ-like structure composed ofcancer cells and host stromal cells, embedded in an extracellular matrix and bathed in interstitial fluid (Jain et al.2002). These cells are nourished by blood vessels madeup of vascular endothelial cells. In addition to supplyingnutrients and removing waste products, these blood vessels serve as a conduit for the spread of cancer cells to distal sites (hematogenic metastases) (Carmeliet and Jain2000). A second vascular system associated with solid tumors is made up of lymphatic endothelial cells. In addition to absorbing excess interstitial fluid and macromolecules to maintain homeostasis, the lymphatic systemserves as a conduit for host immune cells and cancer cellsto reach the draining lymph nodes ( Alitalo and Carmeliet2002; Jain and Fenton 2002). Thus, blocking the formation and function of these two vascular systems has thepotential to arrest tumor growth and metastasis (Folkman2000)...
