title: Plasminogen activators in (pre)malignant conditions of the colorectum.
abstract: Plasminogen activators have been implicated in the process of tumour growth, invasion and metastatic spread. Recent studies indicate that urokinase (mu-PA) is the major type of plasminogen activator correlated with the evolution of adenocarcinomas of the colon. Comparable changes in the plasminogen activator profile have been found in premalignant conditions of the colon as observed in adenocarcinomas. The feasibility of determining plasminogen activators in endoscopical biopsies may provide diagnostic opportunities for the detection of early malignant changes in the human colon.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Verspaget
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Verheijen
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: de Bruin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Griffioen
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Lamers
mesh_terms: D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000378:metabolism*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010960:Plasminogen Activators