Melbourne: Chemotherapy
may stimulate the release of tiny bubbles from the surface of cancer cells that
can cause potentially fatal blood clots, a new study has found.
Most deaths from cancer are caused by uncontrolled growth of
tumour in vital organs. However, the second most common way that cancer kills is
by triggering blood clotting resulting in thrombosis, such as pulmonary
embolisms. This causes blockage of major blood vessels preventing oxygen and
nutrients from reaching vital organs. Though often life-saving and
life-prolonging, chemotherapy is associated with a six to seven-fold increase
in the risk of thrombosis in cancer patients. The link between cancer and
thrombosis was noted over 100 years ago, but the reasons for the association
have been elusive.
Researchers from University of Otago in New Zealand discovered
that cancer cells treated with chemotherapy release lipid-rich bubbles from
their membranes that activate coagulation (clotting) processes.
“We now have insight into how these bubbles from dying cancer
cells may cause thrombosis during chemotherapy,” said Alex McLellan, associate
professor at University of Otago.
Researchers have demonstrated that certain solid cancers are
more active in promoting blood coagulation, as compared to lymphomas.
“A general pattern is that cancers such as pancreatic, lung and
brain cancers carry the largest risk of thrombotic events,” said McLellan. The
group analysed the contribution of individual coagulation factors to the risk.
Although they identified the coagulation factor known as Factor
V on the cancer bubbles, it was not essential for the rapid clotting induced by
the bubbles. Instead an over-abundance of clotting lipids and a molecule called
Tissue Factor on the cancer bubbles were responsible.
The study was published in the journals Biochimica et Biophysica
Acta and Oncotarget. -PTI
Source: DNA-1st Dec-2016
http://epaper2.dnaindia.com/index.php?pagedate=2016-12-1&edcode=820009&subcode=820009&mod=1&pgnum=2
