The crossroad between tumor and endothelial cells

Abstract

Endothelial cells are critical in tumor development, and the specific targeting of endothelial cells offers a potent means to effectively impede angiogenesis and suppress the growth of tumors. Tumor endothelial cells are responsible for the loss of anticancer immunity, the so-called endothelial anergy, i.e., the unresponsiveness of tumor endothelial cells to pro-inflammatory stimulation, not allowing adhesion of immune cells to the endothelium. Endothelial cells downregulate antigen presentation and recruitment of immune cells, contributing to immunosuppression. Targeting endothelial cells may assist in improving the immune effect of immune cells in tumor microenvironment.