Tumor microenvironment conditions that favor vessel co-option in colorectal cancer liver metastases: A theoretical model

• Published in: Seminars in cancer biology Vol. 71; pp. 52 - 64
• Main Authors: Rada, Miran, Lazaris, Anthoula, Kapelanski-Lamoureux, Audrey, Mayer, Thomas Z., Metrakos, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2021
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-angiogenesis; Colorectal Neoplasms - immunology; Colorectal Neoplasms - pathology; CRCLM; Humans; Liver Neoplasms - immunology; Liver Neoplasms - secondary; Models, Theoretical; Neovascularization, Pathologic - immunology; Neovascularization, Pathologic - pathology; Tumor Microenvironment; Tumour microenvironment; Vessel co-option; CRCLM; Anti-angiogenesis; Tumour microenvironment; Vessel co-option
• ISSN: 1044-579X; 1096-3650
• DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.09.001

Vessel co-option is an alternative strategy by which tumour cells vascularize and gain access to nutrients to support tumour growth, survival and metastasis. In vessel co-option, the cancer cells move towards the pre-existing vasculature and hijack them. Vessel co-option is adopted by a wide range of human tumours including colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) and is responsible for the effectiveness of treatment in CRCLM. Furthermore, vessel co-option is an intrinsic feature and an acquired mechanism of resistance to anti-angiogenic treatment. In this review, we describe the microenvironment, the molecular players, discovered thus far of co-opting CRCLM lesions and propose a theoretical model. We also highlight key unanswered questions that are critical to improving our understanding of CRCLM vessel co-option and for the development of effective approaches for the treatment of co-opting tumours.