Abstract
During embryogenesis, the formation of primary vascular networks occurs via the processes of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. In uveal melanoma, vasculogenic mimicry describes the 'embryonic-like' ability of aggressive, but not nonaggressive, tumor cells to form networks surrounding spheroids of tumor cells in three-dimensional culture; these recapitulate the patterned networks seen in patients' aggressive tumors and correlates with poor prognosis. The molecular profile of these aggressive tumor cells suggests that they have a deregulated genotype, capable of expressing vascular phenotypes. Similarly, the embryonic-like phenotype expressed by the aggressive human breast cancer cells is associated with their ability to express a variety of vascular markers. These studies may offer new insights for consideration in breast cancer diagnosis and therapeutic intervention strategies.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 417-422 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Breast Cancer Research |
Volume | 2 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2000 |
Keywords
- Breast cancer
- Interconverted phenotype
- TIE2
- Thrombin receptor
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Cancer Research