Mast cells (MCs) are a potent proangiogenic factor in tumors, they product several proangiogenic
factors such as fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), vascular epithelial growth
factor (VEGF), tryptase and chymase.
Tryptase is a serine protease classified as α-tryptase and β-tryptase, both produced by MCs.
Tryptase degrades the tissues, playing an important role in angiogenesis and in the
development of metastases.
Serum tryptase increases with age, with increased damage to cells and risk of developing a
malignancy and it could be considered the expression of a fundamental role of MCs in tumor
growth or, on the contrary, in the antitumor response.
Many biomarkers have been developed in clinical practice for improving diagnosis and
prognosis of some neoplasms. Elevated tryptase levels are found in subgroups of patients
with haematologic and solid cancers. In the current review, we want to update the
perspectives of tryptase as a potential biomarker in daily practice in different neoplasms
