title: Vasculogenic mimicry: lessons from melanocytic tumors.
abstract: Tumor cell vasculogenic mimicry refers to the formation of tumor cell-lined vessels that contribute to tumor neovascularization and nutrient and oxygen supply. These tumor cells express many endothelial and stem cell markers, resulting in them having a unique phenotype. This phenomenon is observed in a variety of neoplasms, such as glioblastomas and sarcomas, as well as breast, ovarian, liver and lung carcinomas. It is also evident in melanocytic lesions, regardless of their benign or malignant nature. The biochemical and molecular events that regulate vasculogenic mimicry provide opportunities for development of novel forms of tumor-targeted treatments. Furthermore, the presence of this process in a tumor might have prognostic implications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece spiliopk@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Spiliopoulos
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peschos
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Batistatou
authors.affiliation: First Department of Ophthalmology, 'G. Gennimatas' General Hospital of Athens, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ntountas
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Niki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Agnantis
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kitsos
mesh_terms: D042501:Angiogenic Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D042501:Angiogenic Proteins
keywords: Melanocytic; mimicry; review; tumor; vasculogenic