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  • Review Article
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Targeting the tumour vasculature: from vessel destruction to promotion

Abstract

As angiogenesis was recognized as a core hallmark of cancer growth and survival, several strategies have been implemented to target the tumour vasculature. Yet to date, attempts have rarely been so diverse, ranging from vessel growth inhibition and destruction to vessel normalization, reprogramming and vessel growth promotion. Some of these strategies, combined with standard of care, have translated into improved cancer therapies, but their successes are constrained to certain cancer types. This Review provides an overview of these vascular targeting approaches and puts them into context based on our subsequent improved understanding of the tumour vasculature as an integral part of the tumour microenvironment with which it is functionally interlinked. This new knowledge has already led to dual targeting of the vascular and immune cell compartments and sets the scene for future investigations of possible alternative approaches that consider the vascular link with other tumour microenvironment components for improved cancer therapy.

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Fig. 1: Anti-angiogenic strategy: the beginning of vascular targeting therapies.
Fig. 2: Vessel destruction.
Fig. 3: Vascular promotion therapy.
Fig. 4: Targeting endothelial-derived and pericyte-derived factors.
Fig. 5: Vessel normalization.
Fig. 6: Remodelling vessels for efficient antitumour immunity.
Fig. 7: A simplistic model for reprogramming tumour vessels into high endothelial venules.

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Acknowledgements

S.G. and G.B. are supported by grants from the Flemish government FWO (G072021N to S.G. and G0I2922N and G0A1122N to G.B.). K.H.-D. is supported through HEFCE funding from Queen Mary University of London with relevant scientific funding support from CRUK Programme Grant (CRUK DRCNPG-May21/100004), Barts Charity (MGU0601) Medical Research Council (MR/V009621/1) and Worldwide Cancer Research (19-0108).

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Correspondence to Kairbaan Hodivala-Dilke or Gabriele Bergers.

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K.H.-D. is a consultant for Ellipesis, RGD-Science and Vasodynamics. G.B. is a consultant for Mestag. S.G. declares no competing interests.

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Glossary

Anergy

In the context of T cells, it is a tolerance mechanism in which the lymphocyte is functionally inactivated following an antigen encounter. In the context of endothelial cells, it is a state in which endothelial cells no longer respond to inflammatory cytokines.

Angiocrine

Derived from endothelial cells.

Biosimilar

Non-generic versions of brand-name drugs that may offer more affordable treatment options to patients.

Metronomic chemotherapy

Continuous and dose-dense administration of chemotherapeutic drugs.

Mural cells

Pericytes and smooth muscle cells that surround and support blood vessels.

Pericrine

Derived from pericytes.

Pericytes

Mural cells covering blood microvessels, including capillaries.

Secondary lymphoid organs

Encapsulated structures in which lymphocytes mount adaptive immune responses.

Stalk cells

Endothelial cells that trail tip cells, proliferate and elongate the vascular sprout.

Tertiary lymphoid structures

Ectopic lymphoid tissues that drive antigen-specific immune responses at sites of chronic inflammation.

Tip cells

Migratory endothelial cells with long filopodia at the tip of the vascular sprout.

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Guelfi, S., Hodivala-Dilke, K. & Bergers, G. Targeting the tumour vasculature: from vessel destruction to promotion. Nat Rev Cancer 24, 655–675 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41568-024-00736-0

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