Genes for Vascular Development Up-Regulated in Aggressive Cancers

Researchers have identified several genes that differentiate between aggressive cancer cells that form vascular-like, fluid containing networks and poorly aggressive cancers that do not form such networks.

Investigators at the University of Iowa (Iowa City, USA) used gene profiling, protein detection, and immunohistochemistry to compare gene activity in aggressive and poorly aggressive melanomas. They reported in the September 1, 2003, issue of Cancer Research that aggressive melanoma showed up-regulation of tissue factor (TF), TF pathway inhibitor 1 (TFPI-1) and 2 (TFPI-2), critical genes that initiate and regulate coagulation pathways.

"Essentially our observations indicated that the aggressive melanoma tumor cells behaved in a similar manner as do endothelial cells that form blood vessels,” explained Dr. Mary Hendrix, professor of anatomy and cell biology at the University of Iowa. "This is yet another example of the plasticity of aggressive melanoma tumor cells in that they can mimic other cell types, such as endothelial cells, and our study provides a mechanistic example of how they do it. This plasticity represents a clinical challenge in trying to detect aggressive tumor cells, but it also provides new insights on how we might target them more effectively.”




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