Molecular mechanisms of thrombotic complications in glial tumors

Cancer patients are at increased risk of venous thromboembolic complications (VTE), which are the second leading cause of death in these patients. Moreover, the maximum incidence of VTE occurs in tumors of the central nervous system [1]. Research is being conducted to identify laboratory biomarkers of increased risk of VTE, but to date data on their role are ambiguous. Patients with a mutation in the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) gene are at lower risk of VTE, and the IDH mutation is associated with suppression of the production of tissue factor (TF) and podoplanin, the most studied molecules responsible for the occurrence of thromboembolic complications [2]. The main specific markers of VTE are based on immunohistochemical methods, which are possible only with histological examination of the tumor material. Therefore, it is important to find noninvasive biomarkers that could be used to assess the risk of venous thromboembolic complications. In this review, we will focus on highlighting the accumulated knowledge on this theme.