Assessment of platelet activation and phagocytic activity in gastric cancer patients

To assess the activation of platelets and their phagocytic activity in the course of gastric cancer.

Forty-three gastric cancer patients were recruited to the study. The patients were divided into 3 groups depending on tumor stage. Group E included 6 patients with early gastric cancer; group A 18 patients with locally advanced cancer; and group M-19 with metastatic cancer. The investigations were performed twice, prior to surgery and 12-14 d afterwards.

The platelet count and the level of soluble platelet selectin (sP-selectin) were found to increase with the disease progression. The level of sP-selectin was lowest in early cancer and was observed to increase after surgery in all the study patients. Irrespective of tumor stage, a statistically significant decrease was noted in the percentage of phagocytizing platelets and in the phagocytic index in gastric cancer patients as compared to healthy subjects. Despite increased platelet count and stimulation of thrombocytopoiesis, the phagocytic functions of blood platelets were markedly impaired. Tumor development seems to impair metabolic processes.

A decreasing phagocytic activity can promote both inflammatory processes and cancer growth.