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Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Comprehensive Analysis of Procoagulant Platelets Exhibiting Features of Necrosis, Apoptosis and Platelet Activation
Published on: May 23, 2025
The Platelet Lifeline to Cancer: Challenges and Opportunities
Monika Haemmerle1, Rebecca L Stone2, David G Menter3
1Department of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany.
Abstract:
Besides their function in limiting blood loss and promoting wound healing, experimental evidence has highlighted platelets as active players in all steps of tumorigenesis including tumor growth, tumor cell extravasation, and metastasis. Additionally, thrombocytosis in cancer patients is associated with adverse patient survival. Due to the secretion of large amounts of microparticles and exosomes, platelets are well positioned to coordinate both local and distant tumor-host crosstalk. Here, we present a review of recent discoveries in the field of platelet biology and the role of platelets in cancer progression as well as challenges in targeting platelets for cancer treatment.
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