Leukemia and other hematological cancers advance when tissue factor stimulates angiogenesis

09-21-2006

"In the last few years, it has become clear that the processes of tumor angiogenesis, metastasis and invasiveness are highly dependent on components of the blood coagulation cascade. One of the key proteins in coagulation is TF," scientists writing in the journal Leukemia report.

"In addition, TF is also known as a mediator of intracellular signaling events that can alter gene expression patterns and cell behavior. TF significantly participates in tumor-associated angiogenesis and its expression levels have been correlated with the metastatic potential of many types of hematological malignancies," C. Lopez-Pedrera and colleagues, University Hospital Reino Sofia, stated.

They added, "Signaling pathways initiated by both, tissue factor-activated factor VII (TF-FVII(a)) protease activation of protein-activated receptors (PARs), and phosphorylation of the TF-cytoplasmic domain, appear to regulate these tumoral functions. Advances in antiangiogenic therapies and preclinical studies with TF-targeted therapeutics are hopeful in the control of tumor growth and metastasis, but continued studies on the regulation of TF are still needed.

In the last few years, the use of approaches of functional genomics and proteomics has allowed the discovery of new proteins involved in the origin of the neoplasia and their participation in the development of the disease. This review attempts to establish a cellular and molecular causal link between cancer coagulopathy, angiogenesis and tumor progression in hematological malignancies."

Lopez-Pedrera and colleagues published their review in Leukemia (Tissue factor as an effector of angiogenesis and tumor progression in hematological malignancies. Leukemia, 2006;20(8):1331-1340).

Additional information can be obtained by contacting C. Lopez-Pedrera, Hospital University of Reino Sofia, Unidad Invest, Avda Menendez Pidal S-N, E-14004 Cordoba, Spain.

The publisher of the journal Leukemia can be contacted at: Nature Publishing Group, Macmillan Building, 4 Crinan St., London N1 9XW, England.

Keywords: Cordoba, Spain, Coagulation, Genetics, Genomics, Hematologic Disease, Hematologic Malignancies, Leukemia, Oncology, Proteomics, Cancer Therapy, Angiogenesis, Neoplasia, Coagulopathy, Tumor Progression.

This article was prepared by Hematology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Hematology Week via NewsRx.com.