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Imaging the steps of lymphatic metastasis
Author(s) -
Padera Timothy P.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.392.1
Subject(s) - lymphatic system , metastasis , cancer metastasis , pathology , lymph , medicine , lymph node , cancer , lymphatic endothelium , lymphatic vessel , cancer cell
The mechanisms used by cancer cells to form lymph node metastasis are starting to be understood, with the hope of identifying treatment strategies to lower mortality due to disseminated cancer. In contrast to hematogenous metastasis in which the primary tumor has functional blood vessels for cancer cells to invade, the story for lymphatic metastasis is likely more complicated. Solid tumors seem to lack functional intratumor lymphatic vessels which means tumor cells that enter intratumor lymphatic vessels will not be carried by lymph flow to lymph nodes. Functional lymphatic vessels in the margin of tumors, however, seem sufficient for lymphatic metastasis to occur. Using intravital microscopy, we have investigated the individual steps of lymphatic metastasis. We will discuss at which step molecules affecting lymphatic metastasis act and how this will affect the design of anti‐metastatic therapeutics.