Blood vessels in tumors secrete angiocrine factors that support tumor growth. Sfrp1, a factor produced by vascular endothelial cells, plays a crucial role in maintaining cancer stem cells and regulating the Wnt signaling pathway, essential for tumor growth and drug resistance. Researchers from the University of Fukui found that Sfrp1 affects CSC maintenance and tumor growth. Sfrp1-deficient tumors had reduced CSC populations, indicating its role in keeping CSCs active. Targeting specialized endothelial cells producing angiocrine factors could lead to new cancer therapies that inhibit tumor growth and drug resistance with minimal side effects, offering hope for intractable cancer patients.
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Study links protein secreted by blood vessels to drug-resistant cancer
