Open AccessHeterogeneity of tumor lymphangiogenesis: Progress and prospects
Author(s) -
Hu Xueting,
Luo Jincai
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
cancer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 1347-9032
DOI - 10.1111/cas.13738
Subject(s) - lymphangiogenesis , cancer research , metastasis , biology , tumor progression , tumor cells , lymphatic system , angiogenesis , medicine , pathology , immunology , cancer
Lymphangiogenesis and increased expression of lymphangiogenic growth factors are associated with high rates of lymph node ( LN ) metastasis and with poor prognosis in some, but not all, solid tumors. In addition to its involvement in metastasis, lymphangiogenesis has been shown to have other roles in tumor pathogenesis, such as the niche function of tumor stem cells and regulatory functions of antitumor immune responses. In contrast, evidence has accumulated that tumor‐induced lymphangiogenesis displays the heterogeneity in gene signature, structure, cellular origins and functional plasticity. This review summarizes the advances in the research on the heterogeneity of tumor lymphangiogenesis and discusses how it may contribute to functional complexity and multiplicity of lymphangiogenesis in tumor progression.