Possibilities for assessing vasculogenic mimicry during the preclinical study of antitumor compounds

Abstract

The dissemination activity of malignant neoplasms largely determines the prognosis in patients with tumors of various localizations. Tumor growth depends on the intensity of formation of new blood and alternative vessels. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) differs from the conventional neoangiovasculogenetic process involving vascular endothelium. VM is an alternative type of blood supply independent of endothelial vessels, which refers to the formation of vessels lined with tumor cells. Several methods are currently available for detecting VM in vivo; however, immunohistochemical staining of specific antigens remains the gold standard. The main criteria for diagnosing the VM structure have been identified. The successful development of anticancer therapy requires special attention to the preclinical study of the effect of new antitumor compounds on the VM process. Although the specific mechanisms triggering VM formation remains to be elucidated, the strategy of studying this process at the preclinical stage will contribute to the development of new domestic antitumor and antimetastatic drugs with a multifactorial action.