Adhesive receptors expressed by tumor cells and platelets: novel targets for therapeutic anti-metastatic strategies.
In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that adhesive interactions between tumor cells and platelets may play a central role in the metastatic process. Ultrastructural studies have demonstrated that platelets appear to enhance the development of arrested tumor emboli into a secondary metastatic colony. Platelet adhesive glycoprotein receptors and their immunorelated counterparts expressed by tumor cells participate in tumor-induced platelet aggregation, which may be an early step in the development of a metastatic lesion. Platelet anti-adhesive agents have been demonstrated to reduce metastases in rodent models. Although tumor adhesive glycoproteins have yet to be fully characterized, specific inhibition of their functional sites could constitute a forthcoming strategy for effective inhibition of metastases.
Oleksowicz
L
L
Department of Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center Hospital, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10467, USA.
Dutcher
J P
JP
D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010973:Platelet Adhesiveness / Q000502:physiology; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018000:Receptors, Peptide / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D018000:Receptors, Peptide; C051382:arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid directed cell adhesion receptor