Indeed, systemic hypercoagulability in patients with cancer and TF overexpression by cancer cells are both closely associated with tumor progression, but their causes have been elusive.
It is hoped that because we currently have such simple and clinically useful global tests of hypocoagulability as the prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time, it may soon become possible to measure multifactorial thrombophilia without resorting to the multiplicity of tests now necessary.
We hypothesized differences in the hypercoagulable state [as assessed by tissue factor (TF), fibrinogen and D-dimer], endothelial function [markers soluble E-selectin (sE-sel) and von Willebrand factor (vWf)], and inflammation [markers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)] in these two SCD genotypes.
Tissue factor messenger RNA levels in leukocytes compared with tissue factor antigens in plasma from patients in hypercoagulable state caused by various diseases.
Recently published guidelines on thrombophilia testing recommend assays for protein C, protein S and antithrombin; a modified activated protein C resistance test (with factor V-deficient plasma); polymerase chain reaction for prothrombin G20201A, together with prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin clotting time and assays to detect antiphospholipid antibodies.
These findings strongly support the hypothesis that antibodies to PF4 developed in HIT trigger the production of tissue factor by monocytes, and this effect could account in vivo for hypercoagulability and thrombotic complications in affected patients.
We here report that low-dose simvastatin treatment inhibits excessive expression of monocyte tissue factor (TF) and reduces the persistent hypercoagulability state seen in cardiac transplant recipients.