The tumor microenvironment, which includes the vasculature, is critical to tumor progression. The vasculature architecture can also influence therapeutic response by modulating the delivery of chemotherapy. Only a few studies have looked at vascular biology in medulloblastoma tumors, although existing studies suggest that neurodevelopmental pathways and chromatin-remodelers may contribute to angiogenic growth in these tumors. Clinical studies with bevacizumab in combination with radiation or chemotherapy have not been very successful. Chromatin remodelers can be pharmacologically targeted, and should be evaluated in pre-clinical models for their anti-angiogenic activity.
Keywords: Medulloblastoma; REST; VEGF; angiogenesis; tumor-microenvironment; vasculature.