Brief Article
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World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. Feb 15, 2013; 4(1): 12-17
Published online Feb 15, 2013. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v4.i1.12
Assessment of platelet activation and phagocytic activity in gastric cancer patients
Joanna Matowicka-Karna, Zbigniew Kamocki, Halina Kemona
Joanna Matowicka-Karna, Halina Kemona, Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
Zbigniew Kamocki, the Second Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
Author contributions: Matowicka-Karna J designed and performed the experiments, analysed data and wrote the manuscript; Kamocki Z selected patients and analyzed data; Kemona H has approved the version to be published.
Supported by Grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia
Correspondence to: Joanna Matowicka-Karna, PhD, Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 15A, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland. matowic@umb.edu.pl
Telephone: +48-85-7468584 Fax: +48-85-7468584
Received: July 24, 2012
Revised: October 1, 2012
Accepted: December 6, 2012
Published online: February 15, 2013
Abstract

AIM: To assess the activation of platelets and their phagocytic activity in the course of gastric cancer.

METHODS: Forty-three gastric cancer patients were recruited to the study. The patients were divided into 3 groups depending on tumor stage. Group E included 6 patients with early gastric cancer; group A 18 patients with locally advanced cancer; and group M-19 with metastatic cancer. The investigations were performed twice, prior to surgery and 12-14 d afterwards.

RESULTS: The platelet count and the level of soluble platelet selectin (sP-selectin) were found to increase with the disease progression. The level of sP-selectin was lowest in early cancer and was observed to increase after surgery in all the study patients. Irrespective of tumor stage, a statistically significant decrease was noted in the percentage of phagocytizing platelets and in the phagocytic index in gastric cancer patients as compared to healthy subjects. Despite increased platelet count and stimulation of thrombocytopoiesis, the phagocytic functions of blood platelets were markedly impaired. Tumor development seems to impair metabolic processes.

CONCLUSION: A decreasing phagocytic activity can promote both inflammatory processes and cancer growth.

Keywords: Gastric cancer; Interleukin-6; Blood platelet; Phagocytic activity; Soluble platelet selectin