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Selectins are adhesion proteins located on endothelial cells, leukocytes, and platelets. Platelet selectin (P-selectin) mediates cell adhesion in inflammation, thrombosis, and cancer growth and metastasis. Cancer cells, which have cell-surface receptors for P-selectin, stimulate the expression of these molecules on the surfaces of monocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells, and platelets. Recent studies have shown that the presence of soluble P-selectin (sPS) is a risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Can sPS levels be used to predict likelihood of VTE in cancer patients?
To answer this question, Austrian investigators performed a prospective study of 687 patients with a variety of tumors. Patients with VTE histories or those receivin…