title: Vessel abnormalization: another hallmark of cancer? Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications.
abstract: As a result of excessive production of angiogenic molecules, tumor vessels become abnormal in structure and function. By impairing oxygen delivery, abnormal vessels fuel a vicious cycle of non-productive angiogenesis, which creates a hostile microenvironment from where tumor cells escape through leaky vessels and which renders tumors less responsive to chemoradiation. While anti-angiogenic strategies focused on inhibiting new vessel growth and destroying pre-existing vessels, clinical studies showed modest anti-tumor effects. For many solid tumors, anti-VEGF treatment offers greater clinical benefit when combined with chemotherapy. This is partly due to a normalization of the tumor vasculature, which improves cytotoxic drug delivery and efficacy and offers unprecedented opportunities for anti-cancer treatment. Here, we overview key novel molecular players that induce vessel normalization.
authors.affiliation: Vesalius Research Center, K.U.Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Katrien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: De Bock
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cauwenberghs
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carmeliet
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D010100:Oxygen