Angiogenesis and Metabolism: Entwined for Therapy Resistance

Abstract

Angiogenesis and metabolism are entwined processes that permit tumor growth and progression. Blood vessel supply is necessary for tumor survival by providing oxygen and nutrients for anabolism, but also by removing waste products from cellular metabolism. On the other hand, blocking angiogenesis with antiangiogenic therapies shows clinical benefits in several tumor types. Nevertheless, resistance to therapy emerges over time. In this review, we will discuss a novel mechanism of adaptive resistance involving metabolic adaptation of tumor cells, as well as provide examples of tumor adaptation to therapy, which may represent a new mechanism of resistance in several types of cancer. Thus, targeting this metabolic tumor adaptation could be a way to avoid resistance in cancer patients.