Role of the coagulation system in tumor-cell-induced platelet aggregation and metastasis

The ability of tumor cells to initiate coagulation and subsequent platelet aggregation is believed to facilitate the metastatic process. The mechanism by which tumor cells initiate thrombotic alterations is unclear. We have purified a plasma membrane protein platelet aggregating activity/procoagulant activity (PAA/PCA) from several rodent tumors which initiates the coagulation of homologous plasma and aggregation of homologous platelets by a mechanism independent of factor VII. This protein does not possess any proteinase activity; however, its activity is dependent upon the presence of factor X. In addition, PAA/PCA requires reconstitution with phospholipid for expression of activity. These results suggest that tumor cells express a unique protein which possesses procoagulant activity resulting in thrombin generation. Thrombin is responsible for subsequent tumor-cell-induced platelet aggregation.