Colon Cancer Growth and Dissemination Relies upon Thrombin, Stromal PAR-1, and Fibrinogen.

Thrombin-mediated proteolysis is a major determinant of metastasis, but is not universally important for primary tumor growth. Here, we report that colorectal adenocarcinoma represents one important exception whereby thrombin-mediated functions support both primary tumor growth and metastasis. In contrast with studies of multiple nongastrointestinal cancers, we found that the growth of primary tumors formed by murine and human colon cancer cells was reduced in mice by genetic or pharmacologic reduction of circulating prothrombin.