Endothelial cell activation markers in cancer

The importance of the endothelium is cancer is not disputed. However, equally without doubt is the fact that cancer is a hypercoagulable state. Furthermore, there is evidence that two are linked, and that this link may also be causative in that changes to vascular biology in cancer lead to an increased risk of thrombosis. The objective of this communication is to summarise the evidence that adverse changes to the endothelium, as evidenced by changes in the expression and secretion of different cells, cell particles, and molecules, together lead to an increased risk of thrombosis. This, in turn, provides the basis for the viewpoint that vascular health is valuable and should be protected and maintained, possibly the use of vascular-friendly treatments.