Treatment of malignancy by activation of the plasminogen system.
The blood coagulation mechanism in general and the plasminogen system in particular contribute to malignant growth and dissemination in complex ways. This article reviews the extensive literature that has accumulated over the past half-century on effects of plasminogen activation on the natural history of experimental animal and human malignancy. Although the potent enzymes generated upon plasminogen activation may have a direct effect on tumor cells, it is more likely that their mechanism of action is related to disruption of the tumor cell-extracellular matrix interaction. These observations suggest novel approaches to the experimental therapy of cancer.
Zacharski
Leo R
LR
VA Medical and Regional Office Center, White River Junction, Vermont 05009, USA. leo.r.zacharski@dartmouth.edu
Ornstein
Deborah L
DL
Gabazza
Esteban C
EC
D'Alessandro-Gabazza
Corina N
CN
Brugarolas
Antonio
A
Schneider
Jeffrey
J
D000818:Animals; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects; D005342:Fibrinolysis; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010958:Plasminogen; D010960:Plasminogen Activators