Thrombin-Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor in Breast Cancer Patients

Objective: To evaluate the levels of thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) activity and also its relationship with other homeostasis markers in breast cancer patients. Subjects and Methods: Forty-two female patients with breast cancer and 24 healthy women (controls) were enrolled in the study and fasting blood samples of all cases were drawn from a large antecubital vein for assay of TAFI and other homeostasis tests. Results: The TAFI levels were 79.5 ± 15.5 and 39.3 ± 12.1 in patients and controls, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). In the patient group, the serum fibrinogen level was 504.9 ± 224.8, while in the control group it was 393.9 ± 100.5, and the difference was also statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The data showed that increased levels of TAFI are a contributing factor of thrombotic disorders in breast cancer patients.