Membrane microparticles in VTE and cancer.
Microparticles (MPs) are cellular vesicles produced by all cells in response to apoptosis or cellular activation. In this brief review, the evidence that MPs mediate the thrombotic propensity that characterizes patients with cancer is evaluated. It is concluded that while considerable data exist to support a critical pathophysiologic role of host or tumor cell-derived MPs in cancer-associated thrombosis, causality is not yet firmly established. The results of prospective clinical studies that are currently underway should clarify any causative relationship.
Key
Nigel S
NS
Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. Nigel_key@med.unc.edu
Chantrathammachart
Pichika
P
Moody
Patrick W
PW
Chang
Jen-Yea
JY
D000818:Animals; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*