Controversy and significance of vascular mimicry in malignant tumors

Vascular mimicry (VM) refers to a tubular structure with oxygen supply and blood circulation functions, which is independently formed by tumor cells in solid tumors. Since it was proposed by Professor Hendrix of Ohio State University in 1999, its function, structure and clinical significance have been controversial. Nevertheless, many academic studies still tend to believe that this tubular structure conforms to the morphological and functional characteristics of blood vessels. Because VM simulates the process of vascular endothelial cells forming blood vessels, the role of many signals involved in endothelial cell-dependent angiogenesis in VM formation has also been concerned and studied. This paper summarized the relevant controversial issues in the recent VM researches.