Abstract
Although the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tumor growth and metastasis are not completely understood, it is established that formation and growth of new blood vessels is a conditio sine qua non for tumor survival, growth, and expansion. Numerous studies over the past decades demonstrated that neovascularization associated with tumor growth occurs via angiogenic and vasculogenic mechanisms that involve sprouting angiogenesis, intussusceptive angiogenesis, vessel co-option, vasculogenic mimicry, lymphangiogenesis, and the recruitment of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Due to their ability to self-renew, circulate, home to the ischemic sites, and differentiate into mature endothelial cells, EPCs hold enormous potential to be used as a diagnostic and/or therapeutic agent in antitumor therapies. Hence, this review focuses on EPCs and their role in tumor angiogenesis with the emphasis on EPC recruitment/migration, and the potential use of EPCs as a therapeutic tool and imaging probe.
Highlights
Tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis strongly depend on the development of new vascular networks that can supply sufficient amounts of oxygen and nutrients
This review focuses on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and their role in tumor angiogenesis, with the emphasis on EPC recruitment/migration relevant to tumors, and the potential use of EPCs in novel therapies and as imaging probes to differentiate disease conditions
The breakthrough came from the work by Asahara and Murohara[18] who demonstrated the presence of CD34+/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) + EPCs in human peripheral blood
Summary
Invasion, and metastasis strongly depend on the development of new vascular networks that can supply sufficient amounts of oxygen and nutrients This idea first came to light almost 50 years ago when Folkman and his group demonstrated that neovascularization is a necessary condition for malignant growth of solid tumors[1]. Recent studies demonstrated the existence of additional angiogenic and vasculogenic mechanisms associated with tumor growth, such as intussusceptive angiogenesis, vessel cooption, vasculogenic mimicry, lymphangiogenesis, and the recruitment of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs)[11,12]. In most cases, these mechanisms take place concomitantly and are the potential targets for novel antiangiogenic/antitumor therapeutic strategies. This review focuses on EPCs and their role in tumor angiogenesis, with the emphasis on EPC recruitment/migration relevant to tumors, and the potential use of EPCs in novel therapies and as imaging probes to differentiate disease conditions
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