title: Opinion: emerging mechanisms of tumour lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis.
abstract: Malignant tumours can spread to lymph nodes through lymphatic vessels. Recent studies show that tumours produce a range of growth factors that directly or indirectly stimulate lymphatic vessel growth (lymphangiogenesis) and lymphatic metastasis. These findings indicate that tumour lymphangiogenesis, similar to haemangiogenesis, is a complex process that is regulated by multiple growth factors. Understanding the underlying mechanisms by which tumours induce lymphangiogenesis might provide important information for the therapeutic intervention of metastatic spread.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Angiogenesis Research, Microbiology and Tumour Biology Center, Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. yihai.cao@mtc.ki.se
authors.forename: Yihai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic