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Publications

Journal Article Review Epublish

PubMed: 40723273 DOI: 10.3390/cancers17142391

Platelets in Hepatocellular Carcinoma-From Pathogenesis to Targeted Therapy.

Cancers (Basel) 17(14)

Authors: Natalia Kluz, Hanna Grabowska, Paulina Chmiel, Kornelia Rynkiewicz, Alicja Skrobucha, Ewa Wysokińska, Łukasz Szymański, Piotr Tomasz Wysocki, Aleksandra Semeniuk-Wojtaś, Leszek Kraj

Affiliations

  • Medical Faculty, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland.
  • Faculty of Medicine, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University, 5, 01-815 Warsaw, Poland.
  • Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 00-001 Warsaw, Poland.
  • Department of Cardiology, University Clinical Centre, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland.
  • Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA.
  • Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 01-447 Jastrzębiec, Poland.
  • Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-214 Gdańsk, Poland.
  • Department of Oncology, University Clinical Centre, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy with a complex pathogenesis, course, and prognosis with increasing incidence. The most significant contributing factor to the development of HCC is the chronic process of inflammation and remodeling of the cirrhotic liver, in which the interaction between the tumor microenvironment (TME) and cancer cells plays a pivotal role. In recent years, increasing focus has been directed toward the role of platelets (PLTs) in mediating interactions between tumor cells and the TME and in the progression and spread of HCC, as well as other cancers. Due to their abundance in the bloodstream and intracellular granules rich in mediators facilitating their ability to modulate the immune system, PLTs play a significant role in carcinogenesis. In the context of HCC, the role of PLTs in the healing and regeneration processes of the liver has been recognized for some time. In recent years, there has been an increasing utilization of PLTs in prognostic models for patients with HCC. Given their role and the availability of clinical options that block PLTs' action, clinical trials of platelet blockers in the adjunctive treatment of HCC are becoming increasingly common. However, further research, both preclinical and clinical, is necessary to fully elucidate the role of PLTs in HCC and their potential use as a therapeutic target. In this literature review, we summarize the current knowledge on PLTs in HCC and focus on their potential use in everyday clinical practice.

MeSH

Cells, Carcinoma, Hepatocellular, Neoplasms, Liver, Biomarkers, Liver Neoplasms, Therapeutics, Blood Platelets