Lymphangiogenesis linked to VEGF-C from tumor-associated macrophages: accomplices to metastasis by cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma?

During wound healing, dermal macrophages secrete lymphangiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, and lymphatic vessels transport cytokines and cells to draining lymph nodes. In this issue, Moussai et al. show that macrophages in peritumoral nonlesional skin near squamous cell carcinoma secrete prolymphangiogenic VEGF-C. Their study suggests how tumor-associated macrophages and neolymphatic vessels may coordinate metastasis starting early in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.