title: Platelets, cyclooxygenases, and colon cancer.
abstract: A growing body of evidence supports the central role of platelets in early events of tumorigenesis and metastasis. Activated platelets, in response to tissue damage, induce a proinflammatory program involving the aberrant expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, which leads to increased tissue concentrations of the proinflammatory and protumorigenic prostaglandin E2. The central role of platelet activation in cancer development is sustained by the analysis of clinical studies with aspirin showing an anti-cancer efficacy by the drug, even at the low doses used for the prevention of atherothrombosis. Low-dose aspirin acts as an antiplatelet agent by causing an irreversible inactivation of platelet COX-1 activity and the synthesis of thromboxane A2. Further experimental and clinical studies are ongoing to confirm the central role of platelets in the development of inflammation and cancer. The corroboration of this hypothesis will open new opportunities for the prevention and treatment of cancer. In addition to the possible use of traditional antithrombotic agents, the recent identification of novel molecular determinants involved in the cross-talk between platelets and other cellular player of tumorigenesis and metastasis has led to the suggestion of novel therapeutic strategies in oncology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences (Section of Cardiovascular and Pharmacological Sciences) and Center of Excellence on Aging (CeSI), "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Paloma
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guillem-Llobat
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences (Section of Cardiovascular and Pharmacological Sciences) and Center of Excellence on Aging (CeSI), "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Melania
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dovizio
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences (Section of Cardiovascular and Pharmacological Sciences) and Center of Excellence on Aging (CeSI), "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alberti
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences (Section of Cardiovascular and Pharmacological Sciences) and Center of Excellence on Aging (CeSI), "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences (Section of Cardiovascular and Pharmacological Sciences) and Center of Excellence on Aging (CeSI), "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy. Electronic address: ppatrignani@unich.it.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patrignani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases