Tumor angiogenesis. Gene expression patterns identified.

Researchers have obtained the most detailed sketch yet of how cancerous tumors secure the blood supplies that nourish their growth. On page 1197, a team reports the results of a large-scale comparison of the genes expressed in the blood vessels of human colon cancers and of normal colon tissue. They've found that the gene expression patterns of the two types of vasculature are distinctly different. The findings could help researchers develop new anticancer drugs that work by homing in on the protein products of genes that are overexpressed in tumor vessels, thus shutting off the growth of blood vessels the tumor needs to survive.