title: Lymphangiogenesis in human gynaecological cancers.
abstract: The metastatic spread of tumor cells is responsible for the majority of cancer deaths, and with few exceptions, all cancers can metastasize. Clinical findings have for a long time suggested that by providing a pathway for tumor cell dissemination, tumor-associated lymphatics act as key components of metastatic spread. This is believed to occur principally via pre-existing and possibly also newly formed lymphatics (lymphangiogenesis). Increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and VEGF-D in primary tumors correlates with increased dissemination of tumor cells to regional lymph nodes (LNs) in a variety of human carcinomas. Here we will review the mechanisms of lymphangiogenesis, particularly in the context of metastatic tumor spread, and will critically examine the role of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in this process in gynaecological cancers. Potential anti-lymphangiogenic strategies are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Gynaecological Cancer Centre and Cancer Research UK Translational Oncology Laboratory, Queen Mary University of London, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Philippe O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Van Trappen
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Pepper
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000378:metabolism*; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C467486:VEGFC protein, human; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D