Platelets: linking hemostasis and cancer.
Platelets are the main cellular component in blood responsible for maintaining the integrity of the cardiovascular system via hemostasis. Platelet dysfunction contributes to a wide range of obvious pathological conditions, such as bleeding or thrombosis, but normal platelet function is also linked to diseases not immediately associated with hemostasis or thrombosis, such as cancer. Since the description of Trousseau syndrome in 1865, various experimental and clinical studies have detailed the interaction of platelets with primary tumors and circulating metastatic tumor cells. Observations have suggested that platelets not only augment the growth of primary tumors via angiogenesis but endow tumor cells physical and mechanical support to evade the immune system and extravasate to secondary organs, the basis of metastatic disease. Many laboratory and animal studies have identified specific targets for antiplatelet therapy that may be advantageous as adjuncts to existing cancer treatments. In this review, we summarize important platelet properties that influence tumorigenesis, including primary tumor growth and metastasis at the molecular level. The studies provide a link between the well-studied paradigms of platelet hemostasis and tumorigenesis.
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Arkansas for Medical Science, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
Shashank
S
Jain
John
J
Harris
Jerry
J
Ware
D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008024:Ligands; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000097:blood; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013917:Thrombin / Q000378:metabolism; D047368:Tumor Burden; D019139:Tumor Escape
D008024:Ligands; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D013917:Thrombin