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New Cleveland Clinic research published in Cancer Cell shows that people with glioblastoma have more active platelets, which are cells involved in blood clotting. Platelets also communicate with other cells and can influence immune activity. The overactive platelets in people with glioblastoma slow the activity of cancer-fighting T cells, which can contribute to tumor growth and cancer progression.

Researchers from the lab of Justin Lathia, Ph.D., continue to investigate the unknowns around sex differences associated with glioblastoma (GBM), including why it is more common in males and is associated with shorter survival in males than females. Led by postdoctoral fellow Anthony Sloan, Ph.D., the team found in preclinical models that blocking a specific receptor reverses the suppression of cancer-fighting T cells—but only in females.

From these early results, the researchers believe that overactive platelets likely drive disease progression and could be an overlooked target for improving the body's immune response to glioblastoma and other types of tumors. They also believe that hormones likely regulate these mechanisms.

People with cancers including GBM, lung, kidney and gastrointestinal cancers are known to be at increased risk for blood-clot conditions like pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). These thrombotic events are the second leading cause of death in cancer patients. Patients who develop these conditions have a lower chance of survival, but why is not yet understood.

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