Abstract
Platelets are involved in several steps of cancer metastasis. During this process,
platelets are exposed to the tumor and its environment, thereby exchanging biomolecules
with the tumor cells and resulting in tumor-mediated “education” of the platelets
and a change in their RNA profile. Analysis of platelet RNA profiles or direct measurement
of tumor-derived biomarkers within platelets can provide information on ongoing cancer-related
processes in the individual (e.g., whether the patient has cancer, the tumor type,
and possibly identify oncogenic alterations driving the disease for treatment selection).
The close interaction with the disease process and the ability to respond to systemic
alterations make platelets an interesting biosource for implementation in precision
medicine.
Keywords
platelets - biomarkers - liquid biopsy
