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The emerging roles of circular RNAs in vessel co-option and vasculogenic mimicry: clinical insights for anti-angiogenic therapy in cancers

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Abstract

Unexpected resistance to anti-angiogenic treatment prompted the investigation of non-angiogenic tumor processes. Vessel co-option (VC) and vasculogenic mimicry (VM) are recognized as primary non-angiogenic mechanisms. In VC, cancer cells utilize pre-existing blood vessels for support, whereas in VM, cancer cells channel and provide blood flow to rapidly growing tumors. Both processes have been implicated in the development of tumor and resistance to anti-angiogenic drugs in many tumor types. The morphology, but rare molecular alterations have been investigated in VC and VM. There is a pressing need to better understand the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. Here, we review the emerging circular RNA (circRNA)–mediated regulation of non-angiogenic processes, VC and VM.

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The datasets supporting the conclusions of this article are included within the article.

Abbreviations

ARP2/3:

Actin-related protein 2/3

BEV:

Bevacizumab

CAMs:

Cell adhesion molecules

CC:

Cervical cancer

CCRCC:

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma

circRNA:

Circular RNA

CRC:

Colorectal cancer

CSC:

Cancer stem cells

CXCL12:

CXC motif chemokine ligand 12

CXCR4:

CXC motif chemokine receptor 4

ECM:

Extracellular matrix

EBV:

Epstein-Barr virus

EMT:

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

EphA2:

Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor A2

ER:

Endoplasmic reticulum

EVs:

Endothelium-dependent vessels

ERK1/2:

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2

EVMM:

Extravascular migratory metastasis

FAK:

Focal adhesion kinase

GBM:

Glioblastoma

GC:

Gastric cancer

HCC:

Hepatocellular carcinoma

HIF-1α:

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α

HUVECs:

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells

IL-8:

Interleukin-8

IRE1:

Inositol-requiring enzyme 1

JMY:

Junctional mediating and regulator Y

L1CAM:

L1 cell adhesion molecule

MDM2:

Mouse double minute 2

miRNA:

MicroRNA

MMP2:

Matrix metalloproteinase 2

MV:

Mosaic vessels

NPC:

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

NSCLC:

Non-small cell lung cancer

OC:

Ovarian cancer

OS:

Overall survival

RCC:

Renal cell carcinoma

SNAIL2:

Transcription factor Slug

THBS1:

Thrombospondin-1

TME:

Tumor microenvironment

TNBC:

Triple-negative breast cancer

VC:

Vessel co-option

VE:

Vascular endothelial

VEGF:

Vascular endothelial growth factor

VEGFR:

VEGF receptors

VM:

Vasculogenic mimicry

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This manuscript is supported by a grant from the National Natural Scientific Foundations of China (81872112).

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  1. Department of Surgical Pathology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China

    Ying Shao & Bingjian Lu

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SY drafted the manuscript. LB conceived the idea, revised the manuscript, and approved the final submission. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Shao, Y., Lu, B. The emerging roles of circular RNAs in vessel co-option and vasculogenic mimicry: clinical insights for anti-angiogenic therapy in cancers. Cancer Metastasis Rev 41, 173–191 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10555-021-10000-8

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