title: Molecular mechanisms of lymphatic metastasis in solid tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.
abstract: Tumor cell dissemination from the primary tumor site to distant organs is one of the characteristic properties of malignant tumors and represents a crucial step in the progression of disease. Although the pattern of spread may vary in different types of carcinomas, dissemination via the lymphatic system represents a common event in metastasis. The extent of lymph node metastasis is one of the major determinants for the prognosis of patients with gastrointestinal carcinomas and guides the therapeutically management. During the last decades, significant attention has been given to the molecular mechanisms that control lymphatic metastasis. The process of lymphangiogenesis has come into the focus. Lymphangiogenesis, the formation of newly lymphatics, comprises a series of complex cellular events and is controlled by a balance between pro- and anti-lymphangiogenic signals. This article will briefly describe the lymphatic system and then provide an overview of the molecular players involved in tumor lymphangiogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Melanie C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Langheinrich
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schellerer
authors.forename: Aristotelis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perrakis
authors.forename: Clemens
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lohmüller
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schildberg
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Naschberger
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stürzl
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hohenberger
authors.forename: Roland S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Croner
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D004729:Endothelium, Lymphatic / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A