Abstract
Platelets are anucleated cells that circulate in the blood as sentinels of tissue integrity. In fact, they are rich in a plethora of proteins and other factors stored in different granules which they selectively release upon stimulation. Moreover, platelets synthesize a vast number of lipids and release various types of vesicles, including exosomes which are rich in genetic material. Platelets possess a central function to interact with other cell types, including inflammatory cells and cancer cells. Recent findings have enlightened the capacity of platelets to induce changes in the phenotype of cancer cells which acquire invasiveness thus enhancing their metastatic potential. Thus, it has been hypothesized that targeting the platelet may represent a novel strategy to prevent the development and progression of cancer. This is supported by the efficacy of the antiplatelet agent low-dose aspirin. Studies are ongoing to verify whether other antiplatelet agents share the anticancer effectiveness of aspirin.
Keywords:
Antiplatelet agents; Aspirin; Cancer cells; Epithelial–mesenchymal transitions; Metastasis; Platelets; Prostaglandin E2.
Publication types
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Review
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Aspirin / pharmacology
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Aspirin / therapeutic use
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Blood Platelets / drug effects*
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Blood Platelets / metabolism
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Blood Platelets / pathology*
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Eicosanoids / metabolism
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Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / drug effects
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Humans
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Lysophospholipids / metabolism
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Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods
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Neoplasm Metastasis / drug therapy*
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Neoplasm Metastasis / pathology
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Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / pharmacology
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Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
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Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / antagonists & inhibitors
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Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / metabolism
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Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / antagonists & inhibitors
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Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
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Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists / pharmacology
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Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists / therapeutic use
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Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP3 Subtype / antagonists & inhibitors
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Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP3 Subtype / metabolism
Substances
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Eicosanoids
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Lysophospholipids
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PTGER3 protein, human
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Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
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Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex
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Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins
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Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists
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Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP3 Subtype
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lysophosphatidic acid
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Aspirin