Vasculogenic mimicry in carcinogenesis and clinical applications

• Published in: Journal of hematology and oncology Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 19 - 15
• Main Authors: Luo, Qingxi, Wang, Jun, Zhao, Wenyuan, Peng, Zhenzi, Liu, Xianyu, Li, Bin, Zhang, Heng, Shan, Bin, Zhang, Chunfang, Duan, Chaojun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 14.03.2020; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Animals; Cancer; Cancer metastasis; Carcinogenesis; Carcinogenesis - genetics; Carcinogenesis - metabolism; Carcinogenesis - pathology; Cell adhesion & migration; Development and progression; Disease Progression; Endothelium; Extracellular matrix; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Hematology; Heparan sulfate; Humans; Hypoxia; Kinases; Liver cancer; Lung cancer; Mechanisms; Melanoma; Metastasis; MicroRNA; MicroRNAs - genetics; Mimicry; Molecular imaging technologies; Morphology; Neoplasms - blood supply; Neoplasms - genetics; Neoplasms - metabolism; Neoplasms - pathology; Neovascularization, Pathologic - genetics; Neovascularization, Pathologic - metabolism; Neovascularization, Pathologic - pathology; Non-coding RNA; Oncology; Prognosis; Review; RNA, Long Noncoding - genetics; Signal Transduction; Technology; Therapeutic applications; Transcription factors; Tumor therapy; Tumors; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Vasculogenic mimicry; Molecular imaging technologies; Mechanisms; Tumor therapy; Cancer; Vasculogenic mimicry
• ISSN: 1756-8722; 1756-8722
• DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00858-6

Distinct from classical tumor angiogenesis, vasculogenic mimicry (VM) provides a blood supply for tumor cells independent of endothelial cells. VM has two distinct types, namely tubular type and patterned matrix type. VM is associated with high tumor grade, tumor progression, invasion, metastasis, and poor prognosis in patients with malignant tumors. Herein, we discuss the recent studies on the role of VM in tumor progression and the diverse mechanisms and signaling pathways that regulate VM in tumors. Furthermore, we also summarize the latest findings of non-coding RNAs, such as lncRNAs and miRNAs in VM formation. In addition, we review application of molecular imaging technologies in detection of VM in malignant tumors. Increasing evidence suggests that VM is significantly associated with poor overall survival in patients with malignant tumors and could be a potential therapeutic target.