Cancer-associated retinopathy: A new mechanistic insight on vascular remodeling

Cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) is believed to be associated with autoimmune responses against retinal specific antigens. However, CAR patients often show little evidence of immunological reactions at the cellular or molecular levels in their eyes. We have recently shown that tumor-derived VEGF and PlGF significantly remodel the retinal vasculature by ablation of pericytes and impair the blood-retinal barrier, leading to increased vascular leakage. Surprisingly, VEGFR1, but not VEGFR2, is the primary receptor that transduces signals in endothelial or mural cells to produce these vascular pathologies. These results demonstrate that tumor-derived angiogenic factors significantly confer the development of CAR and anti-VEGF agents might be potentially used for the treatment of CAR.