Platelets, Thrombo-Inflammation, and Cancer: Collaborating With the Enemy

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Oncology
• Immunology

Background:

• Platelets are small, anucleate blood cells primarily recognized for their role in hemostasis.
• Emerging research highlights significant involvement of platelets in cancer progression and inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current literature on the multifaceted roles of platelets in cancer.
• To dissect the contribution of platelets to cancer-associated thrombosis and tumor microenvironment inflammation.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of studies investigating platelet functions in cancer.
• Analysis of mechanisms by which cancer cells interact with and activate platelets.
• Examination of platelet involvement in tumor microenvironment modulation and metastasis.

Main Results:

• Cancer cells activate platelets, which then act as shields against shear forces and immune cells like NK cells.
• Activated platelets influence the migration of hematopoietic and immune cells, fostering cancer-associated inflammation.
• Platelet activation by cancer cells contributes to metastasis via deep venous thrombosis and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation.

Conclusions:

• Platelets play a critical, often pro-cancer role beyond hemostasis.
• Understanding platelet-cancer interactions is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting cancer progression and metastasis.