ABSTRACT
The protein C anticoagulant pathway consists of several proteins whose mechanisms of action are distinct from other antithrombotic agents and hence offer potentially novel approaches to the treatment of thrombotic diseases. At present, there is limited human clinical data related to the treatment of thrombosis with components of the pathway. There are a number of congenital and acquired deficiency states, however, that provide potential insights into how the system might be utilized. To understand the application of this pathway to thrombotic disease, it is useful to consider our current view of its mechanism of action. There are a substantial number of reviews on this area for those wishing additional information from this author (1-3) or others (4-20). A recent review on the cytoprotective influences of activated protein C (APC) is particularly insightful (21).
