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Circulating microparticles and activated platelets as novel prognostic biomarkers in COVID-19; relation to cancer
Asmaa M Zahran1, Omnia El-Badawy2, Wageeh A Ali3
1Department of Clinical Pathology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
Background And Aim:
The study aimed to determine whether the MPs levels and platelet activation are affected by the COVID-19 infection in both malignant and non-malignant patients compared to healthy individuals and define their contribution to the COVID-19 associated coagulopathy and the relation of these MPs to other hematologic parameters.
Patients And Methods:
We recruited 23 malignant patients with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive COVID-19, also, 19 COVID-19 non-malignant patients, and 20 healthy volunteers were also enrolled for comparison. Blood samples were collected from patients and healthy donors into 5 mL vacutainer tube containing 3.5% buffered sodium citrate solution for measurement of total microparticles (TMPs), platelet microparticles (PMPs), endothelial microparticles (EMPs), CD62 activated platelets, and CD41 platelet marker.
Results:
COVID-19 malignant patients had significantly lower hemoglobin and platelets compared to COVID non-malignant ones, while they had significantly higher C-reactive protein, LDH, AST, Albunim, creatinine, and prognostic index (PI) compared to COVID-19 non-malignant patients. significant accumulations of TMPs, PMPs, EMPs, and activated platelets in COVID-19 affected patients compared to healthy controls. TMPs, and EMPs were significantly accumulated in COVID-19 malignant compared to COVID-19 non-malignant patients with no significant difference in PMPs between both.
Conclusion:
Circulating MPs and activated platelets may be promising novel prognostic biomarkers capable of identifying potentially severe COVID-19 patients who require immediate care especially in cancer patients.
Insights
COVID-19 infection increases microparticle (MP) levels and platelet activation in patients, particularly those with cancer. These findings suggest MPs are potential biomarkers for identifying severe COVID-19 cases needing urgent care.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- COVID-19 infection is associated with coagulopathy.
- Microparticles (MPs) and platelet activation are implicated in thrombotic events.
- The role of MPs in COVID-19, especially in cancer patients, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on microparticle levels and platelet activation in malignant and non-malignant patients compared to healthy individuals.
- To determine the contribution of these markers to COVID-19-associated coagulopathy.
- To explore the relationship between MPs and other hematologic parameters in COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- Recruitment of 23 malignant COVID-19 positive, 19 non-malignant COVID-19 positive, and 20 healthy individuals.
- Measurement of total microparticles (TMPs), platelet microparticles (PMPs), endothelial microparticles (EMPs), and activated platelets using blood samples.
- Analysis of various hematologic and biochemical parameters, including hemoglobin, platelets, C-reactive protein, LDH, AST, Albumin, and creatinine.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 patients exhibited significantly higher levels of TMPs, PMPs, EMPs, and activated platelets compared to healthy controls.
- Malignant COVID-19 patients showed lower hemoglobin and platelets but higher C-reactive protein, LDH, AST, Albumin, creatinine, and prognostic index compared to non-malignant COVID-19 patients.
- TMPs and EMPs were significantly elevated in malignant COVID-19 patients compared to non-malignant COVID-19 patients.
Conclusions:
- Circulating MPs and activated platelets are significantly increased in COVID-19 patients, indicating their role in the disease pathophysiology.
- Elevated MPs and activated platelets may serve as novel prognostic biomarkers for identifying severe COVID-19 cases, particularly in cancer patients.
- These markers could aid in timely clinical intervention for high-risk individuals.
