Coagulation and metastasis: what does the experimental literature tell us?

Br J Haematol. 2013 Aug;162(4):433-41. doi: 10.1111/bjh.12381. Epub 2013 May 21.

Abstract

Inhibition of coagulation greatly limits cancer metastasis in many experimental models. Cancer cells trigger coagulation, through expression of tissue factor or P-selectin ligands that have correlated with worse prognosis in human clinical studies. Cancer cells also affect coagulation through expression of thrombin and release of microparticles that augment coagulation. In the cancer-bearing host, coagulation facilitates tumour progression through release of platelet granule contents, inhibition of Natural Killer cells and recruitment of macrophages. We are revisiting this literature in the light of recent studies in which treatment of clinical cohorts with anticoagulant drugs led to diminished metastasis.

Keywords: aspirin; coagulation; macrophages; metastasis; tissue factor.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anticoagulants / pharmacology
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use*
  • Blood Coagulation* / drug effects
  • Blood Platelets / drug effects
  • Blood Platelets / physiology*
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / physiology
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / metabolism
  • Hirudins / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Lung Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / drug therapy
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / physiopathology
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / prevention & control*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / blood supply
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / blood*
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Neoplastic Cells, Circulating
  • Neuraminidase / pharmacology
  • Neuraminidase / therapeutic use
  • P-Selectin / physiology
  • Platelet Activation / physiology
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Rats
  • Thrombin / metabolism
  • Thrombophilia / complications
  • Thrombophilia / drug therapy
  • Thromboplastin / physiology

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Hirudins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • P-Selectin
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Thromboplastin
  • Neuraminidase
  • Thrombin
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases
  • cancer procoagulant