The possible role of blood platelets in tumour growth and dissemination
Grignani, G.; Pacchiarini, L.; Pagliarino, M.
Haematologica 71(3): 245-255
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0390-6078 PMID: 3093331 Document Number: 4742
The interactions of platelets and tumor cells have received increasing attention in recent years. The aim of this overview is to discuss the most relevant results of both experimental and clinical studies performed in this field. Haemostatic abnormalities are very common in patients with cancer and haemorrhagic and thromboembolic episodes are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Such abnormalities are related to the stimulating effect of cancer cells on platelets and on the coagulation process. The mechanisms of platelet activation by tumor cells are heterogeneous. They include: production of ADP, generation of thrombin by procoagulant activity of tumor cells, interaction of platelets with a sialo-lipo-protein complex of the tumour cell membrane, with a trypsin-sensitive protein or with cathepsin B-like cysteine proteinase. Once activated, platelets are the source of permeabilityenhancing factors, of growth -stimulating factors and of prostaglandins and thromboxanes, which in turn may affect tumour growth and dissemination. Furthermore, antiplatelet drugs have been shown to reduce metastasis formation in some human and experimental tumours. Collectively, these studies support the hypothesis that platelets may play an important role in tumour dissemination. This is of considerable interest from both speculative and practical viewpoints.
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