Roles of Platelets in Tumor Metastasis / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

ABSTRACT

Platelets are small anucleated fragments derived from megakaryocytes participating in coagulation and hemostasis. In recent years, more and more experimental and clinical evidences show that platelets also promote tumor metastasis. When tumor cells detach from the primary tumor and access the blood, platelets are the first host cells they encounter. As an important member of tumor metastasis microenvironment, platelets and tumor cells interact and affect each other. On the one hand, tumor cells can regulate the function of platelets by inducing platelets activation and aggregation; on the other hand, platelets can promote tumor metastasis by directly contacting and releasing bioactive mediators. Numerous studies have shown that platelets can promote tumor metastasis through the following approaches 1. Reducing the shear force-induced damage; 2. Helping tumor cells escape immune surveillance; 3. Promoting tumor cells migration and stationary adhesion in blood vessels; 4. Promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition of tumor cells; 5. Promoting tumor cell extravasation; 6. Forming a metastatic niche suitable for the survival of tumor cells. Therefore, targeting the interaction between platelets and tumor cells has become a potential tumor treatment strategy. Based on the latest research progress at home and abroad, this paper reviews the roles of platelets in different stages of tumor metastasis and the application of antiplatelet drugs in tumor therapy.