Abstract
During embryogenesis, the formation of primary vascular networks occurs via the processes of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. In uveal melanoma, vasculogenic mimicry describes the 'embryonic-like' ability of aggressive, but not nonaggressive, tumor cells to form networks surrounding spheroids of tumor cells in three-dimensional culture; these recapitulate the patterned networks seen in patients' aggressive tumors and correlates with poor prognosis. The molecular profile of these aggressive tumor cells suggests that they have a deregulated genotype, capable of expressing vascular phenotypes. Similarly, the embryonic-like phenotype expressed by the aggressive human breast cancer cells is associated with their ability to express a variety of vascular markers. These studies may offer new insights for consideration in breast cancer diagnosis and therapeutic intervention strategies.
Publication types
-
Comparative Study
-
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
-
Review
MeSH terms
-
Biomarkers, Tumor / biosynthesis
-
Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
-
Biomarkers, Tumor / physiology*
-
Blood Vessels / embryology
-
Blood Vessels / metabolism
-
Breast Neoplasms / genetics
-
Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
-
Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
-
Carcinoma / genetics
-
Carcinoma / metabolism
-
Carcinoma / pathology
-
Carcinoma / secondary
-
Cell Differentiation
-
Female
-
Fetal Proteins / biosynthesis
-
Fetal Proteins / genetics
-
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
-
Genotype
-
Humans
-
Melanoma / genetics
-
Melanoma / pathology
-
Melanoma / secondary
-
Molecular Mimicry
-
Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics
-
Neoplasm Metastasis / genetics*
-
Neoplasm Proteins / biosynthesis
-
Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
-
Neoplasm Proteins / physiology*
-
Neoplasms / genetics
-
Neoplasms / pathology
-
Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics*
-
Phenotype
-
Spheroids, Cellular / cytology
-
Tumor Cells, Cultured
-
Uveal Neoplasms / genetics
-
Uveal Neoplasms / pathology
Substances
-
Biomarkers, Tumor
-
Fetal Proteins
-
Neoplasm Proteins