Lymphangiogenesis in cancerous tumours

Abstract

Summary The lymphatic vasculature is essential for the maintenance of fluid homeostasis, immune surveillance and fat absorption. A role of the lymphatic vessels in the development of human diseases, such as inflammation and tumorigenesis, has proven to be both essential and active. The molecular mechanisms of lymphangiogenesis are not clear, but vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF-C and VEGF-D) within tumours may simulate endothelial cells within tumour tissues to grow and generate new lymphatics. Recently, several markers specific for lymphatic endothelium and models for lymphatic vascular research have been characterized and many critical regulators of lymphatic vessel growth have been identified. This review focuses on the mechanisms of lymphangiogenesis in general, and especially on the role of lymphatic vessels in ovarian cancer