Journal of Hebei Medical College for Continuing Education ›› 2022, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (2): 16-23.DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-490X.2022.02.003

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Advances on vasculogenic mimicry in breast cancer

WEI Yali,SUN Chengcheng,WANG Xiaochun   

  1. Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China
  • Received:2021-12-17 Online:2022-04-25 Published:2022-04-25

Abstract: Vasculogenic mimicry is a special model of angiogenesis. This structure is composed of tumor cells instead of traditional endothelial cells, and provides nutrition for tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. In recent years, it has been found that vasculogenic mimicry is related to the prognosis, invasion, metastasis and drug resistance of many kinds of malignant tumors. It is generally believed that vasculogenic mimicry and angiogenesis depend on some common mechanisms. And some people believe that the formation of vasculogenic mimicry is one of the reasons leading to the development of resistance to anti-angiogenic drugs. The mechanism of vasculogenic mimicry in breast cancer, including related signaling pathways, as well as tumor stem cells, epithelial mesenchymal and anti angiogenesis therapy, are reviewed. The significance and future direction of vasculogenic mimicry as a therapeutic target for breast cancer will be prospected.

Key words: vasculogenic mimicry, breast cancer, cancer stem cells, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, antiangiogenic therapy

CLC Number: