Tumour-vasculature development via endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition after radiotherapy controls CD44v6+ cancer cell and macrophage polarization

Abstract

Radiotherapy is the main treatment for most cancer, but it is unclear if targeting tumour vasculature can enhance tumour radiosensitivity. Here, the authors show that tumour endothelial-mesenchymal transition after radiotherapy leads to proliferation of radioresistant CSCs and tumour associated macrophages polarization.