In this manuscript of a speech by Dr M.J. Folkman (the originator of the angiogenesis field of cancer research), there is an interesting section dealing with platelets as sequestors of pro & anti angiogenesis factors. In particular,it predicts that the growth factor VEGF secreted by early microscopic tumors that is partly uptaken by platelets will become a marker & diagnostic tool to predict & prevent full blown cancer by early treatment with antiangiogenesis drugs.
It also suggest this uptake explains why circulating VEGF does not correlate with cancer status while VEGF in platelets might do so.
http://download.journals.elsevierhea...6806006452.pdf
Is angiogenesis an organizing principle in biology and medicine?
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