Microparticles and colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most prevalent cancer worldwide, with nearly 2 million new cases diagnosed annually. Patients with solid tumors are widely recognized to often exhibit abnormal activation of the coagulation system, leading to a high prevalence of thromboembolism (VTE). Microparticles (MPs) are a subset of extracellular vehicles (EVs) that differ from exosomes and apoptotic bodies primarily in their size, composition, and mechanisms of formation and release. MPs are integral to tightly controlled biological processes, including hemostasis, inflammation, and protein transfer. The impact of platelet-tumor interactions varies with the environment-either local tissue or circulation-leading to either inhibition or promotion of cancer progression. ‬‬‬Also, Tumor-derived microvesicles (TMVs) play an essential role in‬ tumor progression by affecting the biological functions of immune cells such as lymphocytes, monocytes, and macrophages. This interaction is particularly significant in CRC, where macrophages contribute to tissue recovery processes. It is proposed that cancer patients experiencing VTE exhibited significantly greater mean TF (+) MPs activity compared to those without VTE. PS-positive platelets and MPs have a role in the hypercoagulable state of CRC patients and may serve as promising therapeutic targets to prevent coagulation in this population. Circulating MPs, especially fibrin-bearing MPs, may serve as novel biomarkers for predicting thrombo-embolic complications and poorer prognosis in cancer patients. In this review article, we have explored various MPs in CRC, especially those are related to hypercoagulation.