title: Atherosclerosis and cancer: common pathways on the vascular endothelium.
abstract: This article reviews experimental and clinical data on atherosclerosis and cancer showing common pathogenic mechanisms. It is suggested that common pathways follow dysfunction of the vascular endothelium. The activation of the haemostatic system and the overexpression of cytokines and adhesion molecules by the endothelial cells represent important features of this dysfunction. These mechanisms can be responsible for progression of both diseases and explain the higher incidence of thromboembolic events in cancer patients, the occurrence of similar laboratory findings and the effect of many drugs on the course of the two diseases. Our article confirms that atherosclerosis and cancer share common mechanisms, and we hope it will stimulate further clinical trials on the use of drugs active on the haemostatic system in cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, University of Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morganti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carpi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nicolini
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gorini
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Glaviano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giavaresi
authors.forename: Ch
authors.initials: Ch
authors.lastname: Mittermayer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giardino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents