Tissue factor proangiogenic signaling in cancer progression.

Cancer progression from a dormant, non-vascularized benign tumor to metastatic disease is a multiple steps process that critically depends on contributions from the hemostatic system. Tissue factor (TF), protease activated receptors (PARs), factor VIIa, and the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) are expressed by tumor cells as well as the host compartment. These components of the hemostatic system regulate tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. Here we review the evidence that TF-dependent signaling is the major driver of primary tumor growth, whereas TF-initiated coagulation and interactions of procoagulant tumor cells with the host compartments initiate multiple pathways that support and regulate the efficiency of metastatic tumor dissemination.