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Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Author Spotlight: Developing Parmodulins to Target Protease-Activated Receptors for Inflammation Control
Published on: May 24, 2024
Protease-activated receptors - biology and role in cancer
Dominika Hempel1, Ewa Sierko1, Marek Z Wojtukiewicz1
1Klinika Onkologii Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Białymstoku; Białostockie Centrum Onkologii.
Abstract:
The fact that blood coagulation disorders may accompany malignant disease is well established. However, many studies have shown that components of the haemostatic system may also elicit signaling leading to cancer developement and progression. The potential mechanism by which coagulation factors play a role in cancer invasion is not completely understood, but one hypothesis is that protease-activated receptors (PARs) play a prominent role. PARs are transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are activated by a unique proteolytic mechanism. They have important functions in haemostasis and inflammation but may also be implicated in cancer cell progression. Thrombin, tissue factor (TF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the main activators of these receptors. The mechanism of persistent activation of PARs was also described in cancer cells. Here, we discuss the physiological and pathological role of PARs with a particular focus on PARs' contribution to cancer biology. We also present therapeutic options tailored specifically to inhibition of PAR-induced signalling in cancer patients.
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