PF4 Promotes Platelet Production and Lung Cancer Growth

Co-option of host components by solid tumors facilitates cancer progression and can occur in both local tumor microenvironments and remote locations. At present, the signals involved in long-distance communication remain insufficiently understood. Here, we identify platelet factor 4 (PF4, CXCL4) as...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Pucci, Ferdinando, Newton, Andita P., Garris, Christopher, Nunes, Ernesto, Evavold, Charles, Pfirschke, Christina, Mino-Kenudson, Mari, Pittet, Mikael J., Engblom, Camilla, Rickelt, Steffen, Hynes, Richard O., Weissleder, Ralph
Other Authors: Harvard University--MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology
Format: Article
Language:en_US
Published: 2017
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/107431
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5224-7764
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7603-8396
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0828-4143
Description
Summary:Co-option of host components by solid tumors facilitates cancer progression and can occur in both local tumor microenvironments and remote locations. At present, the signals involved in long-distance communication remain insufficiently understood. Here, we identify platelet factor 4 (PF4, CXCL4) as an endocrine factor whose overexpression in tumors correlates with decreased overall patient survival. Furthermore, engineered PF4 over-production in a Kras-driven lung adenocarcinoma genetic mouse model expanded megakaryopoiesis in bone marrow, augmented platelet accumulation in lungs, and accelerated de novo adenocarcinogenesis. Additionally, anti-platelet treatment controlled mouse lung cancer progression, further suggesting that platelets can modulate the tumor microenvironment to accelerate tumor outgrowth. These findings support PF4 as a cancer-enhancing endocrine signal that controls discrete aspects of bone marrow hematopoiesis and tumor microenvironment and that should be considered as a molecular target in anticancer therapy.