Supplemental Blood Circulation System in Hematologic Malignancies

Neoangiogenesis, i.e. formation of new blood microvessels on the basis of already existing vascular network, is a prerequisite for tumor growth. For years, neoangiogenesis has been considered the only way for delivering oxygen and nutrients to the tumor. However, over the last years, other mechanism of tumor vascularization has been studied. Formation of highly structured vascular channels from tumor cells in the absence of endothelial cells and fibroblasts surrounded by basal membrane, or vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is considered a supplemental blood supply system. VM was found in almost all types of tumors and its occurrence is strongly associated with poor prognosis. This review summarizes basic VM characteristics in solid tumors and hematological malignancies. It also discusses the clinical significance of the above mentioned phenomenon in diagnosing tumors and predicting their course.

• A.A. Vartanyan N.N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center, 24 Kashirskoye sh., Moscow, Russian Federation, 115478 ; ФГБУ «Российский онкологический научный центр им. Н.Н. Блохина», Каширское ш., д. 24, Москва, Российская Федерация, 115478

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