Molecular mechanisms of platelet-tumor cell adhesion under flow

The ability of tumor cells to interact with platelets constitutes an indispensable determinant in the success of metastatic spread. This study was undertaken to investigate the sequence of molecular events mediating human colon (LS174T) carcinoma cell adhesion to surface adherent platelets under flow. A two-step process of tumor cell recruitment has been elucidated, involving LS174T tethering mediated primarily by platelet P-selectin, and subsequent arrest via platelet /spl alpha//sub IIb//spl beta//sub 3/. This cascade of events depicts an efficacious process for colon carcinoma arrest at sites of vascular injury.