The angiogenic makeup of human hepatocellular carcinoma does not favor vascular endothelial growth factor/angiopoietin-driven sprouting neovascularization

Abstract

In hepatocellular carcinoma, tumor vascularization is not per se VEGF/angiopoietin driven. However, increased CD31 expression and morphological changes representative of sinusoidal capillarization in tumor vasculature indicate that vascular remodeling is taking place. This portends that therapeutic intervention of HCC at the level of the vasculature is optional, and that further studies into the molecular control thereof are warranted.