title: Thrombomodulin: tumour biology and prognostic implications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thrombomodulin (TM) is an endothelial receptor that exerts anti-coagulant, anti-fibrinolytic, and anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting thrombin and cellular adhesion. There is growing evidence that TM plays a role in tumour behaviour.
  
  
  METHODS
  The electronic literature (1966-2004) was reviewed with a specific focus on tumour biology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TM is expressed on both the endothelium and tumour cells in several cancers. Loss of expression denotes a more malignant profile with poorer prognosis. Loss of TM is mediated by hypoxia, endotoxin, and various cytokines, while up-regulation can be achieved by pharmacological manipulation (e.g. pentoxyfylline and statins).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Originally described as an endothelial anticoagulant, TM plays a key role in tumour biology and prognostics, and provides a potential therapeutic target in impeding cancer spread.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Research and Education Building, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin 9, Ireland. amhanly@indigo.ie
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hanly
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hayanga
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Winter
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Bouchier-Hayes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000494:pharmacology; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D018180:Thrombomodulin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D018180:Thrombomodulin; D010431:Pentoxifylline