D-DIMER AND PLASMINOGEN-ACTIVATOR OF THE UROKINASE-TYPE - EXPERIENCESWITH MAMMARY CARCINOMAS

Plasma values of d-dimer, a stable end product of plasmin-induced fibr inolysis, were ascertained in 128 female patients with mammary carcino ma. These patients demonstrated significantly increased d-dimers in co mparison with the control group with benign mammary disease (p < 0,01) . The sensitivity and specificity of d-dimer were slightly higher than those of the estabilished tumour marker CA 15-3 and CEA. There was no correlation between d-dimers in the plasma and increased expression o f urokinase plasminogen activator (UPA) in the tissue. Increased d-dim ers in the plasma of female patients with mammary carcinoma reflect mu lti-factoral interactions between carcinoma growth and the haemostatic -fibrinolytic system, and may be used as tumour markers.