Plasma soluble thrombomodulin and soluble endothelial protein C receptor levels in colorectal cancer patients

Abstract

Aim: Thrombomodulin (TM) and endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) are 2 transmembrane proteins that are thought to play an important role in cancer. We aimed to discover whether these 2 proteins are prognostic indicators in colorectal cancer. Materials and methods: Plasma TM and EPCR levels were measured using the ELISA method in 50 patients in different tumor stages that had been recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer and in a healthy control group of 50 people. Results: In colorectal cancer patients, higher plasma TM (21.3 ± 22.8 ng/mL, 13.2 ± 16.2 ng/mL, P = 0.010) and plasma EPCR levels (149.9 ± 79.6, 113.3 ± 49.3, P = 0.007) were determined compared to the control group. No statistically significant relationship was present between plasma TM, EPCR levels and tumor stage, tumor localization, tumor differentiation, lymphovascular invasion state, microvascular thrombus existence, and thrombosis progression (P > 0.05). Conclusion: We think that these 2 proteins are released into plasma as an indicator of endothelial dysfunction and can play a role in pathogenesis and biology of colorectal cancer. © TÜBİTAK.