Scientists at research center Applied Medicine (CIMA) of the University of Navarra have identified an anomaly Genetics that could increase the risk of thrombosis. The European Haematology Association publishes this work, which is also featured on the cover and publishing house of its journal Haematologica.

The endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) has an anticoagulant function in blood vessel cells. However, when transformed into soluble (sEPCR) it becomes a factor that promotes coagulation. "Our study has determined that this alteration may originate from a new diversification system Genetics (alternative splicing). The detection of this molecule would become a new tool to assess thrombotic risk," explains Ramón Montes, researcher .

The work, in which Eva Molina, José Hermida, Jacinto López-Sagaseta and Cristina Puy, from the area Cardiovascular Sciences, have participated, also demonstrates the presence of sEPCR in lung cancer cell lines. "The data obtained in our study leads us to think that the incidence of thrombosis in cancer patients may be due to the presence of this molecule. If so, we could be looking at a possible marker of lung cancer".