Platelets and Metastasis: New Implications of an Old Interplay

Overview

Journal Front Oncol

Specialty Oncology

Date 2020 Oct 12

PMID 33042789

Citations 33

Authors

Serena Lucotti

Ruth J Muschel

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

During the process of hematogenous metastasis, tumor cells interact with platelets and their precursors megakaryocytes, providing a selection driver for the metastatic phenotype. Cancer cells have evolved a plethora of mechanisms to engage platelet activation and aggregation. Platelet coating of tumor cells in the blood stream promotes the successful completion of multiple steps of the metastatic cascade. Along the same lines, clinical evidence suggests that anti-coagulant therapy might be associated with reduced risk of metastatic disease and better prognosis in cancer patients. Here, we review experimental and clinical literature concerning the contribution of platelets and megakaryocytes to cancer metastasis and provide insights into the clinical relevance of anti-coagulant therapy in cancer treatment.

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