THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TUMORS AND THE LYMPHATICS: WHAT MORE IS THERE TO KNOW?

Abstract

Ten years ago the relationship betweentumors and the lymphatic system wasperceived to be rather passive. Since then, thedramatic increase in our understanding of themolecular biology of lymphatic endothelialcells and the regulation of lymphangiogenesishas revealed that tumors can actively interactwith the lymphatics by inducing lymphangiogenesis.In turn, this interaction promotesthe entry of tumor cells into the lymphaticvasculature and their subsequent transportto regional lymph nodes, a process thatstimulates the formation of metastases.Tumor-induced lymphangiogenesis has thusemerged as an important new target in thefight against metastatic cancer. Nevertheless,there is still much to be learned about therelationship between tumors and the lymphaticsthat will have important ramificationsfor the design of clinical trials aimed atthe application of anti-lymphangiogenesistherapies in the management of cancer.This Lymphangiogenesis Review focuseson these issues.