Basic science research opportunities in thrombosis and hemostasis: Communication from the SSC of the ISTH

Abstract

Bleeding and thrombosis are major clinical problems with high morbidity and mortality. Treatment modalities for these diseases have improved in recent years, but there are many clinical questions remaining and a need to advance diagnosis, management, and therapeutic options. Basic research plays a fundamental role in understanding normal and disease processes, yet this sector has observed a steady decline in funding prospects thereby hindering support for studies of mechanisms of disease and therapeutic development opportunities. With the financial constraints faced by basic scientists, the ISTH organized a basic science task force (BSTF), comprising Scientific and Standardization Committee subcommittee chairs and co-chairs, to identify research opportunities for basic science in hemostasis and thrombosis. The goal of the BSTF was to develop a set of recommended priorities to build support in the thrombosis and hemostasis community and to inform ISTH basic science programs and policy making. The BSTF identified three principal opportunity areas that were of significant overarching relevance: mechanisms causing bleeding, innate immunity and thrombosis, and venous thrombosis. Within these, five fundamental research areas were highlighted: blood rheology, platelet biogenesis, cellular contributions to thrombosis and hemostasis, structure-function protein analyses, and visualization of hemostasis.This position paper discusses the importance and relevance of these opportunities and research areas, and the rationale for their inclusion. These findings have implications for the future of fundamental research in thrombosis and hemostasis to make transformative scientific discoveries and tackle key clinical questions. This will permit better understanding, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hemostatic and thrombotic conditions.

The future of basic science research into a leading cause of disability and death

“…In June, our journal published a position paper 1 Why be alarmed that basic science on this topic appears to be waning? Despite public health gains in recent decades, thrombotic diseases stubbornly remain one of the major causes of disability and death worldwide.…”

“…In June, our journal published a position paper 1 from the Basic Science Task Force of the Scientific and Standardization Committee (SSC) of the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH), who worked to identify research opportunities for basic science in hemostasis and thrombosis. These investigators noted, disturbingly, that “Funding directed toward discovery research in thrombosis and hemostasis has seen a significant reduction in the last 8–10 years.…”

“…Abstract submissions to the ISTH Congresses, showing linear regression analyses of clinical (gray) and basic science abstracts (red) submitted from 2007–2020. Reprinted with permission from Mutch et al 1 …”

Charting the course of blood flow: vessel-on-a-chip technologies in thrombosis studies

“…Furthermore, although animal studies have been successful, translational challenges have resulted in many failures in clinical drug trials, highlighting the limitations of currently available diagnostic and blood-thinning treatment options [7] . Thus, the need to establish diagnostic tools and design new treatments for thrombosis has steadily increased over the last several decades [8] .…”

Exploring the Mechanism of Chuanxiong Rhizoma against Thrombosis Based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking and Experimental Verification

“…Thrombosis is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, because it is the frequent etiology of myocardial ischemia, stroke and vascular embolism [ 1 ]. Thrombus is an accumulation of platelets and erythrocytes that weave together to form a web-like structure, obstructing the flow of blood and threatening the normal functioning of tissues and organs [ 2 ].…”