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Vascularization of Melanoma by Mobilization and Remodeling of Preexisting Latent Vessels to Patency

Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

Requests for reprints: Alan Jay Schroit, Department of Cancer Biology (173), University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030. Phone: 713-792-8586; Fax: 713-792-8747; E-mail: aschroit{at}mdanderson.org.

Tumors must manipulate the host vasculature to provide a blood supply adequate for their proliferation. Although tumors may arise as avascular masses, there is increasing evidence that some tumors begin to proliferate by first co-opting preexisting host blood vessels. By fluorescent vascular imaging, we provide evidence that the vasculature in orthotopically implanted melanoma arises from a preexisting red cell–deficient vascular network that remodels to patency to accommodate the requirements of the expanding tumor mass. Topical application of vascular endothelial growth factor to vascular beds generated immediate and robust vascular transitions that were morphologically similar to tumor-induced transitions. N-nitro-L-arginine, a nitric oxide inhibitor, significantly inhibited the growth of a syngeneic K1735M2 melanoma by reducing blood supply to the tumor by a mechanism independent of endothelial cell proliferation. These findings suggest that tumor-induced remodeling of red cell–deficient vessels to patency contributes to tumor vascularization and growth.

Key Words: tumor microvasculature • blood vessel perfusion • melanoma • angiogenesis

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