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Normalizing tumor vasculature and microenvironment: Insights from in vivo microscopy
Author(s) -
Jain Rakesh K
Publication year - 2013
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.27.1_supplement.18.1
Subject(s) - lymphatic system , cancer cell , pathology , cancer , tumor microenvironment , blood stream , intravital microscopy , in vivo , blood vessel , immune system , medicine , lymphatic vessel , cancer research , tumor cells , biology , immunology , metastasis , microbiology and biotechnology
A solid tumor is like an aberrant organ – comprised of cancer cells and host cells embedded in an extra‐cellular matrix – nourished by blood vessels and drained by lymphatic vessels. In its journey from the blood stream to cancer cells, a therapeutic agent must cross the vessel wall and the extra‐cellular matrix that cancer cells are ensconced in. Using intravital microscopy and a number of sophisticated animal models, our laboratory has shown that blood and lymphatic vessels as well as matrix associated with tumors are structurally and functionally abnormal. This abnormality can impair delivery of drugs and immune cells in tumors, compromise their efficacy after they accrue in tumors, and, independent of these, facilitate tumor progression. Our lab has dissected the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying these abnormalities, and developed a number of strategies to “normalize” these barriers and thus, improve delivery and efficacy of treatments. Finally, we have translated some of these strategies from bench to bedside for treatment of cancer and other diseases characterized by abnormal blood vessels.