[Hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes associated with sarcomas].

Based on our current knowledge, 5-10% of all malignancies are part of hereditary cancer syndromes. Although the increasing diagnostic role of molecular genetic testing makes us able to recognize more hereditary cancer patients, the careful exploration of family and clinical history by physicians is still the most important step for the diagnosis. In our review we deal with mesenchymal tumours associated with hereditary syndromes.

Mechanisms of vascularization in murine models of primary and metastatic tumor growth.

Directed capillary ingrowth has long been considered synonymous with tumor vascularization. However, the vasculature of primary tumors and metastases is not necessarily formed by endothelial cell sprouting; instead, malignant tumors can acquire blood vessels via alternative vascularization mechanisms, such as intussusceptive microvascular growth, vessel co-option, and glomeruloid angiogenesis. Importantly, in response to anti-angiogenic therapies, malignant tumors can switch from one vascularization mechanism to another.

Mechanism of tumour vascularization in experimental lung metastases.

The appearance of lung metastases is associated with poor outcome and the management of patients with secondary pulmonary tumours remains a clinical challenge. We examined the vascularization process of lung metastasis in six different preclinical models and found that the tumours incorporated the pre-existing alveolar capillaries (ie vessel co-option). During the initial phase of vessel co-option, the incorporated capillaries were still sheathed by pneumocytes, but these incorporated vessels subsequently underwent different fates dependent on the model.