Coagulation factor levels in non-metastatic colorectal cancer patients

There is evidence that high plasma levels of factor (F) VIII, FIX, FXI and fibrinogen are independent risk factors for venous thromboembolism. AIM: To determine the plasma concentrations of several coagulation factors and C4b-binding protein (C4BP) in a group of patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer in order to investigate some aspects of cancer-acquired thrombophilia. METHODS: Plasma fibrinogen, FII, FV, FVII, FVIII, FIX, FX, FXI and FXII activity levels and C4BP concentrations were determined in 73 patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer (48 colon and 25 rectum) and in 67 matched control subjects. No one in either group had had previous thrombotic events. RESULTS: Mean plasma concentrations of fibrinogen (functional and antigen), FVIII, FIX, FV and C4BP were significantly higher in colorectal cancer patients than in control subjects, while FVII and FXII levels were significantly decreased. Several correlations were found between the increased coagulation factors and C4BP concentrations, while FVII was highly correlated with FXII. CONCLUSIONS: In colorectal cancer patients high plasma fibrinogen, FVIII and FIX levels might represent further risk factors for venous thrombotic complications in the immediate post-surgery period, while decreased FVII and FXII concentrations may be an index of intravascular coagulation activation, still in a subclinical phase.