Breast cancer cells mediate endothelial cell activation, promoting von Willebrand factor release, tumor adhesion, and transendothelial migration

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer results in a three‐ to four‐fold increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which is associated with reduced patient survival. Despite this, the mechanisms underpinning breast cancer‐associated thrombosis remain poorly defined. Tumor cells can trigger endothelial cell (EC) activation resulting in increased von Willebrand factor (VWF) secretion. Importantly, elevated plasma VWF levels constitute an independent biomarker for VTE risk. Moreover, in a model of melanoma, treatment with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) negatively regulated VWF secretion and attenuated tumor metastasis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of VWF in breast cancer metastasis and examine the effect of LMWH in modulating EC activation and breast tumor transmigration. METHODS: von Willebrand factor levels were measured by ELISA. Primary ECs were used to assess tumor‐induced activation, angiogenesis, tumor adhesion, and transendothelial migration. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Patients with metastatic breast cancer have markedly elevated plasma VWF:Ag levels that also correlate with poorer survival. MDA‐MB‐231 and MCF‐7 breast cancer cells induce secretion of VWF, angiopoietin‐2, and osteoprotegerin from ECs, which is further enhanced by the presence of platelets. Vascular endothelial growth factor‐A (VEGF‐A) plays an important role in modulating breast cancer‐induced VWF release. Moreover, VEGF‐A from breast tumor cells also contributes to a pro‐angiogenic effect on ECs. VWF multimers secreted from ECs, in response to tumor‐VEGF‐A, mediate adhesion of breast tumor cells along the endothelium. LMWH inhibits VWF‐breast tumor adhesion and transendothelial migration. Our findings highlight the significant crosstalk between tumor cells and the endothelium including increased VWF secretion which may contribute to tumor metastasis.