Tissue factor (TF), a transmembrane protein overexpressed in tumors such as cervical, head and neck, NSCLC, and pancreatic cancers, initiates the extrinsic coagulation pathway under normal subendothelial expression. TF-targeted vedotin antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are in clinical evaluation for solid tumors, but toxicities, including peripheral neuropathy, ocular effects and epistaxis, limit their use.
The expression of tissue factor (TF) is limited in normal tissues to the perivascular compartment where it acts as the receptor for the serin protease factor VIIa. This signaling axis triggers the initiation of extrinsic coagulation protease cascade.
