Word: fibrinogen
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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What the team found was that early in their development, tumors secrete three powerful chemicals that promote formation of a protective shield of fibrin gel around them. One substance encourages nearby blood vessels to leak plasma; another turns fibrinogen, a plasma constitutent, into fibrin; the third diverts immune cells away from the growing shield. Dvorak speculates that the tumor's chemical weaponry is so sophisticated that the fibrin itself encourages growth of blood vessels in the vicinity of the tumor, providing the malignant cells with a nourishing blood supply. As it enlarges, the tumor appears to secrete a fourth...