Abstract
Blood vessel formation (neovascularization) in tumors can occur through two mechanisms: angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. Angiogenesis results from proliferation and sprouting of existing blood vessels close to the tumor, while vasculogenesis is believed to arise from recruitment of circulating cells, largely derived from the bone marrow, and de novo clonal formation of blood vessels from these cells. Increasing evidence in animal models indicate that bone marrow-derived endothelial precursor cells (EPC) can contribute to tumor angiogenesis. This review aims to collate existing literature and provide an overview on the current knowledge of EPC involvement in breast cancer angiogenesis. We also discuss recent attempts to use EPC as biomarker and therapeutic target in clinical trials.
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Acknowledgments
The work performed in our laboratory is financed by the “Institut National de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)”, the “Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer (Equipe labellisée 2009)”, the “Ministère de la Recherche et de l’Education Nationale”.
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Le Bourhis, X., Romon, R. & Hondermarck, H. Role of endothelial progenitor cells in breast cancer angiogenesis: from fundamental research to clinical ramifications. Breast Cancer Res Treat 120, 17–24 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-009-0686-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-009-0686-5