Tumor endothelial cells have features of adult stem cells.
We recently reported that prostate tumor-specific endothelial cells had features of mesenchymal stem cells and could transdifferentiate to form cartilage and bone-like tissues. Plasticity in the tumor vasculature may be related to well-known tumor blood vessel abnormalities and could underlie an intrinsic adaptive mechanism in tumor endothelial cells for circumventing anti-angiogenic strategies.
Dudley
Andrew C
AC
Department of Surgery/Vascular Biology Program, Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Klagsbrun
Michael
M
D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*