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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 11, 2025

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Generated by Low Density Neutrophils Obtained from Peritoneal Lavage Fluid Mediate Tumor Cell Growth and Attachment

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Generated by Low Density Neutrophils Obtained from Peritoneal Lavage Fluid Mediate Tumor Cell Growth and Attachment

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Platelets sequester extracellular DNA, capturing tumor-derived and free fetal DNA.

Lauren Murphy¹, Jeanne Inchauspé^1,2, Giampiero Valenzano³

¹MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine and National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|August 14, 2025

Summary

Platelets can internalize and clear cell-free DNA (cfDNA), including fetal and cancer DNA. This finding reveals a new role for platelets and suggests current liquid biopsy methods may miss crucial genetic information.

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Last Updated: Sep 11, 2025

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Detection and Monitoring of Tumor Associated Circulating DNA in Patient Biofluids

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Published on: June 8, 2019

Area of Science:

Hematology
Molecular Biology
Genetics

Background:

Platelets are anucleate blood cells critical for hemostasis and immunity.
Nucleated cells release cell-free DNA (cfDNA) during death or aberrant mitosis, and excess cfDNA is harmful.
Platelets are known to internalize pathogen-derived nucleic acids.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the hypothesis that platelets may clear endogenous cell-free DNA (cfDNA).
To explore a novel physiological role for platelets in managing cfDNA.
To assess the potential of platelets as a source of genetic information for liquid biopsies.

Main Methods:

Analysis of DNA fragments within platelets from healthy individuals and patients.
Detection of fetal DNA in maternal platelets.
Detection of cancer-derived DNA in platelets from patients with cancerous lesions.

Main Results:

Platelets contain DNA fragments originating from the nuclear genome, despite lacking a nucleus.
Fetal DNA was identified within maternal platelets.
Cancer-associated DNA was found in platelets of patients with premalignant and cancerous conditions.

Conclusions:

Platelets possess a previously unrecognized ability to internalize and potentially clear endogenous cfDNA.
Platelets harbor significant genetic information, including fetal and cancer-derived DNA.
Current liquid biopsy techniques that deplete platelets may overlook vital genetic insights, highlighting the translational relevance of this discovery.