Haemostatic Proteins as Markers of Disease Progression and Prognosis in Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. One of the major causes of death from breast cancer is metastatic disease which results from the malignant cells invading and migrating through blood vessels to distant sites. TEXT: Several studies have shown that metastasis is facilitated by haemostatic proteins. Breast cancer is characterized by haemostatic imbalance which is tilted more to a procoagulant state with resultant thrombotic complications. These elements that are involved in thrombosis also play key roles in different aspects of breast cancer growth including cancer proliferation and progression, cancer survival, angiogenesis and metastasis. Some of these elements include platelets, endothelial cells, coagulation factors and fibrinolytic proteins. There is a close relationship between cancer and many of the haemostatic elements. They are usually increased in metastatic breast cancer, and have found use as predictive and prognostic markers. Some have been validated in breast cancer. Due to their seemingly active roles in breast cancer progression, some of the haemostatic proteins are being developed as diagnostic tools in the management of breast cancer. They are equally being seen as potential targets for the development of novel therapies in breast cancer or repurposing drugs in current use for the same gain. CONCLUSION: This review highlights the role haemostatic proteins play in breast cancer progression, and their diagnostic and therapeutic relevance.