Pattern of fibrinolytic parameters in patients with gastrointestinal carcinomas

Changes in the plasma levels of components of the fibrinolytic system have been investigated in 80 patients suffering from gastrointestinal carcinomas. Urokinase antigen (RIA), tissue-type plasminogen activator antigen (ELISA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (functional assay) were determined. Patients with pancreatic and colorectal carcinoma and metastases as well as those without metastases revealed significantly increased plasma urokinase levels. Those with gall bladder or gastric carcinoma did not show significantly elevated urokinase antigen levels compared to age-matched controls. Determination of tissue-type plasminogen activator antigen in all four carcinoma groups did not reveal significant differences when compared to an age-matched healthy control group. The concentrations of plasminogen activator inhibitor were significantly increased in all carcinoma groups; there being no differences between the patient groups with or without metastases. No correlations between the different parameters of the fibrinolytic system could be obtained.