Scientists from the Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA) of the University of Navarra have identified a genetic anomaly that may increase the risk of thrombosis. The European Haematology Association has published the resulting article, which will also grace the cover of its journal Haematologica.

The endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) plays an anticoagulant function in the cells of the blood vessels. Nevertheless, when they are transformed to be soluble (sEPCR), they become a factor that promotes coagulation. "Our study has determined that this alteration may have its origin in a new system of genetic diversification (alternative splicing). The detection of this molecule could thus become a new tool for evaluating thrombotic risk," explained Ramón Montes, Lead Researcher.

The research project, with co-participants Eva Molina, José Hermida, Jacinto López-Sagaseta and Cristina Puy, of the area of Cardiovascular Sciences, has also demonstrated the presence of sEPCR in lung cancer cellular lines. "The data obtained in our study," indicated Ramón Montes, "leads us to think that the incidence of thrombosis in cancer patients may be due to the presence of this molecule. If this were the case, we would have a possible marker for lung cancer."