Thrombin is a therapeutic target for non-small-cell lung cancer to inhibit vasculogenic mimicry formation.

ABSTRACT: Tumor cells transform into endothelial cells by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, which is characterized by vasculogenic mimicry (VM). VM not only accelerates tumor progression but also increases drug-induced resistance. However, very little is currently known about the molecular determinants that enable VM. Targeting VM might bring a new breakthrough in cancer treatment. Thrombin is the key enzyme of the blood coagulation system and could contribute to tumor progression. Nevertheless, the association between thrombin and VM formation remains largely unknown. We found that VM was associated with the overall survival of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, and that thrombin expression was closely related to VM formation. This research revealed that thrombin induced VM formation

SUBMITTER: Zhao B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7347850 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature