D-dimer is a biomarker that indicates the activation of hemostasis and fibrinolysis. It is a degradation product of fibrin, which is produced when cross-linked fibrin is degraded by plasmin-induced fibrinolytic activity. Studies have evidenced an association between cancer and hemostasis. A systemic activation of blood coagulation and procoagulant changes in the hemostatic system have been observed in cancer patients.
Coagulation activation, in particular thrombin generation and fibrin formation and dissolution, have been implicated in angiogenesis, tumor cell invasion, tumor progression, and metastatic spread. Tumor cells possess strong procoagulant activities that induce local activation of the coagulation system and deposition of fibrin, which has an important role in the formation of tumor stroma and hematogenous spread of tumor cells. The interaction of fibrin, platelets and tumor cells leads to the formation of platelet-fibrin-tumor cell aggregates that promote endothelial adhesion and metastatic spread, as well as tumor cell growth and tumor cell survival.
D-dimer may be used as a marker for predicting cancer metastasis and progression. For more information you may want to refer to the articles attached below.
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