Activation of platelet prostaglandin biosynthesis pathway during neoplastic cell-induced platelet aggregation

In a previous study we found a correlation between metastatic potential and platelet aggregating activity in sublines of a benzopyrene-induced murine fibrosarcoma ( mFS6 ); the purpose of the present work was to elucidate the role of thromboxane biosynthesis by platelets and/or by neoplastic cells in the activation of platelets in this system. The cells of the more malignant subline induced higher aggregation and TxB2 production than those of the non metastasizing one. The supernatants of aggregating cell suspensions contained very few TxB2; furthermore, preincubation of platelets with ASA or Apyrase resulted in inhibition of aggregation and TxB2 production, while preincubation of the cells was ineffective; these results suggest the platelet origin of the measured TxB2 and indicate that platelet-derived ADP plays an important role in their activation, while the production of ADP by the cells does not seem to be relevant in this model. The involvement of platelet prostaglandin biosynthesis pathway in neoplastic cell induced platelet activation could play an important role in the development of platelet-dependent tumour metastasis.