Lymphangiogenesis and cancer: meeting report.

The presence of tumor cells in lymph nodes (LNs) is a sign that metastatic spread of cancer has occurred, and it also signals poor prognosis for patients with cancer. However, it is uncertain whether the lymphatic vasculature is a route for the further dissemination of tumor cells to distant organs or whether that primarily occurs through direct entry of tumor cells into blood vessels. Until recently, there has been little information regarding lymphatic vascular development or lymphangiogenesis and whether the lymphatic system should be considered a target for cancer therapeutics. The Lymphangiogenesis and Cancer workshop was held in Washington, DC on April 21 to 23, 2004 to discuss the role of lymphatic vessels in cancer progression. A particular goal of the meeting was to achieve a better understanding of the role of lymphatic metastasis in the development of metastases at distant sites and to determine whether lymphangiogenesis per se or lymphangiogenic growth factor activity is important in metastasis.