"Platelets Stop Bleeding and Also Inhibit Cancer Cell Metastasis," Study from Uppsala University, Sweden

When platelets are activated in the tissue surrounding a tumor, they secrete large amounts of growth factors that inhibit the metastasis of cancer cells. Photo by Uppsala University, Sweden

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong]Platelets, known for their role in blood clotting when bleeding occurs, have been found to also play a role in suppressing cancer cell metastasis, according to a new study.

A research team led by Professor Anna-Karin Olsson, a medical biochemistry professor at Uppsala University in Sweden, published a related paper on the 26th in the journal 'Cancer Research'.

In this paper, the team revealed that when platelets are activated, growth factors contained within them are released into the tissue surrounding tumors. Among these, 'platelet-derived growth factor B' (abbreviated PDGFB) was found to be essential for the robust maintenance of tumor blood vessels. Platelets helped maintain the selective permeability of the vascular endothelium, indirectly suppressing cancer cell metastasis. This was confirmed through experiments on mice.

Professor Olsson stated, "PDGFB secreted during platelet activation helps maintain the tumor blood vessel walls and has been proven to inhibit cancer cell metastasis," adding, "When developing cancer treatments, the unique functions of various platelet growth factors must be fully considered."

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