A new study uncovers a direct link between vascular health and cancer progression, revealing how loss of blood flow reshapes the bone marrow niche. Researchers at NYU Langone found that chronic ischemia – reduced circulation such as that seen in peripheral artery disease – alters hematopoietic stem cell programming in mice. Restricted blood flow triggered chromatin remodeling and shifted immune output away from protective lymphoid cells toward immunosuppressive myeloid populations. Tumors implanted in these ischemic animals grew nearly twice as fast, suggesting that compromised vascular supply can age the immune system and create a microenvironment favorable to malignancy.
When blood flow is cut off, the immune system shifts into an aged, cancer-tolerant state that doubles tumor growth in mice. This discovery may pave the way for new screening and therapies for patients with peripheral artery disease. Credit: Shutterstock; NYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine. “Blocked blood flow makes cancer grow faster”. ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 11 September 2025.
The findings highlight the marrow vasculature as an underexplored regulator of tumor biology and raise the possibility that maintaining blood flow or targeting ischemia-induced immune skewing could slow cancer development. By connecting vascular dysfunction, stem cell fate, and immune surveillance, this work reframes cancer risk as a systemic condition – and opens new therapeutic avenues at the intersection of regenerative medicine and oncology.
Research article: NYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine. “Blocked blood flow makes cancer grow faster.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 11 September 2025.
Lambda Biologics’ Oncology Solutions: Patient-derived cancer organoid-based drug evaluation service
Gastric Cancer Organoid | Breast Cancer Organoid | Hepatocarcinoma Cancer Organoid | Pancreatic Cancer Organoid
