Soluble P-selectin concentration in patients with colorectal cancer

During platelet activation, P-selectin is translocated onto the external platelet membrane. Surface exposure of P-selectin is temporary, and the molecule undergoes endocytosis or shedding to the circulation where it appears in a soluble form as sP-selectin. The aim of the study was to assess platelet activation based on the level of soluble form of P-selectin (sP-selectin) in colorectal cancer patients. The study involved 22 surgically treated patients, divided into two groups depending on histopathological malignancy grade: group I - patients with low malignancy grade (G2), group II - patients with high malignancy grade (G3). The examinations were carried out three times: before surgery (A0) and 3 (A1) and 12 days (A2) after the surgery. Control group (C) consisted of 20 healthy subjects. The sP-selectin level was determined in the plasma using the ELISA Kit (Human sP-selectin, R&D System). In colorectal cancer patients sP-selectin concentration was statistically significantly higher (69.25 ng/ml in group I and 66.50 ng/ml in group II) as compared to healthy subjects (46.01 ng/ml) (p<0.05), irrespective of malignancy grade. The surgical procedure has a significant effect on the dynamics of changes in the level of sP-selectin. Initially, 3 days (A1) after the procedure, there is a decrease in the level of sP-selectin, but after 12 days (A2) a rise is noted again, the level being the highest in group I. It indicates that the surgical procedure does not totally eliminate the factors responsible for platelet activation and did not normalize platelet activation.