A review of the interaction between the coagulation system and cancer

Abstract

Background: Interaction between cancer cells and the coagulation system could have reciprocal effects on both groups. Coagulation-fibrinolytic cascade is a process that regulates the homeostasis of the body, and this process can be disrupted by several factors; one of the most important factor is cancer. In contrast, the coagulation-fibrinolytic system can also act as a factor in cancer growth and metastasis. Our aim in this study is to investigate this relationship. Methods: The present study is based on Pubmed database information (2010- 2023) using the words “Cancer”, “Coagulation”, “Platelet “, “Tissue factor” and “ VTE “. Results: Cancer cells disrupt the coagulation process by activating prooncogenic factors or inhibiting tumor suppressors, thereby inducing changes in platelets and coagulation factors, and increasing proteins involved in coagulation. These aberrations in the coagulation system result in coagulation abnormalities such as venous thromboembolism (VTE) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). In various cancers, the activity of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems increases, leading to an increase in coagulation and fibrinolysis factors. These factors are closely related to tumor size, tumor stage, cancer progression and metastasis. Conclusions: The coagulation-fibrinolytic system is closely related to cancers.Cancer cells can disrupt the coagulation-fibrinolysis process. Also, coagulation-fibrinolytic agents can both lead to cancer progression and can be used as a marker for the prognosis of some cancers.