Role and mechanism of EphA2 in vasculogenic mimicry

EphA2,a kind of receptor tyrosine kinases(RTKs),is extensively expressed in a lot of cell lines and malignant tumors.It can regulate cell growth,apoptosis,migration and angiogenesis;It also plays an important role in vasculogenic mimicry(VM).Activated-EphA2 and it's downstream signa- ling pathways can make the tumor cells more easily to metastasize,invade and remodel the extra cellular matrix,lead to the formation of vasculogeniclike networks.EphA2 may provide a powerful means for selec- tive targeting of these malignant tumors.