Platelets as messengers of early-stage cancer

Platelets have an important role in tumor angiogenesis, growth, and metastasis. The reciprocal interaction between cancer and platelets results in changes of several platelet characteristics. It is becoming clear that analysis of these platelet features could offer a new strategy in the search for biomarkers of cancer. Here, we review the human studies in which platelet characteristics (e.g., count, volume, protein, and mRNA content) are investigated in early-stage cancer. The main focus of this paper is to evaluate which platelet features are suitable for the development of a blood test that could detect cancer in its early stages.

Automated summary

Platelets play a crucial role in tumor angiogenesis, growth, and metastasis, with interactions between cancer and platelets leading to changes in platelet characteristics. Researchers are investigating whether analyzing these platelet features could offer a new strategy in the search for biomarkers of cancer.