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Review
. 2017 Jun;36(2):249-262.
doi: 10.1007/s10555-017-9673-1.

Platelets and cancer angiogenesis nexus

Marek Z Wojtukiewicz  1   2 , Ewa Sierko  3   4   5 , Dominika Hempel  3   4   5 , Stephanie C Tucker  6 , Kenneth V Honn  6   7   8
Affiliations
Review

Platelets and cancer angiogenesis nexus

Marek Z Wojtukiewicz et al. Cancer Metastasis Rev. 2017 Jun.

Abstract

There has been remarkable insight into the importance of platelets in a wide range of pathophysiologic events, including inflammation and cancer progression. Thrombocytosis in cancer patients is a common finding. Tumor cells induce platelet activation and subsequent aggregation through direct and indirect mechanisms. Platelets are recognized to contribute to metastatic dissemination. There is plenty of evidence that components of the hemostatic system contribute to the process of angiogenesis. Furthermore, there are accumulated data on the substantial influence of blood platelets in the process of blood vessel formation during malignancy. Platelets appear to be the main physiologic transporters of proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors. Moreover, they influence the process of angiogenesis through platelet-derived microparticles, microRNA, lipids, and variety of surface receptors. Platelets contribute to early and late stages of angiogenesis. Available data support the overall stimulatory effect of platelets on tumor angiogenesis. It raises the possibility that interfering with platelet function may be an effective antineoplastic treatment strategy.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; Cancer; Growth factors; MicroRNA; Microparticles; Platelets; miRNAs.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Multidirectional influence of platelets on angiogenesis in malignancy. TCIPA tumor cell-induced platelet aggregation, TF tissue factor, PMPs platelet microparticles, miRNA microRNA
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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