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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

A Time-lapse, Label-free, Quantitative Phase Imaging Study of Dormant and Active Human Cancer Cells
Published on: February 16, 2018
Thrombin induces tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis: Evidence for a thrombin-regulated dormant tumor
Mary Lynn Nierodzik1, Simon Karpatkin
1New York University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine/Hematology, 550 First Avenue, New York, New York 10016, USA.
Abstract:
The association of idiopathic venous thrombosis with occult cancer is generally recognized. However, it has not been fully appreciated that thrombin generated during thrombosis can augment the malignant phenotype. Thrombin activates tumor cell adhesion to platelets, endothelial cells, and subendothelial matrix proteins; enhances tumor cell growth; increases tumor cell seeding and spontaneous metastasis; and stimulates tumor cell angiogenesis. These mechanisms are reviewed. Evidence is also presented to support the hypothesis that thrombin serves to preserve dormant tumor cells in individuals, preventing host eradication. It is proposed that tumor malignancy may be regulated by a procoagulant/anticoagulant axis.
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