Connecting a tumor to the environment
Entschladen, F.; Palm, D.; Drell, T.L.; Lang, K.; Zaenker, K.S.
Current Pharmaceutical Design 13(33): 3440-3444
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 1381-6128 PMID: 18045197 Document Number: 608081
Tumor cells are not only susceptible to signals from the environment, tumor cells secrete angiogenic factors-most prominently the vascular endothelial growth factor-which initiate the vascularization of the tumor for its nourishment. This process has been termed neoangiogenesis. Besides this, two further processes have recently been discovered that facilitate the interaction of the tumor with the lymphatic system and the nervous system, named lymphangiogenesis and neoneurogenesis. These three "geneses" have a cognate, in part common regulation and conjointly promote metastasis development. Neoangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis provide the structures for the lymphatic. Neoneurogenesis accomplishes the innervation of the tumor by the ingrowth of nerve endings into the tumor and alternatively or additionally by the protection of existing nerve cells from destruction. These tumor-innervating nerve cells may release neurotransmitters which are proliferative or promigratory, signals for tumor cell dissemination, too, which is known as perineural invasion. SN 1381-6128