Platelets: guardians of tumor vasculature

Cancer Res. 2009 Jul 15;69(14):5623-6. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-09-1370. Epub 2009 Jul 7.

Abstract

Solid tumors generate a prothrombotic environment capable of platelet activation. Recent findings indicate that the activated platelets are crucial regulators of tumor vascular homeostasis in that they prevent tumor hemorrhage. Surprisingly, this effect is independent of platelets' capacity to form thrombi and instead relies on the secretion of their granule content. Thus, targeting platelet secretory activities may represent a new approach to specifically destabilize tumor vasculature.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism*
  • Blood Platelets / pathology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Platelet Activation