Ticagrelor prevents tumor metastasis via inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting platelet apoptosis

Anticancer Drugs. 2020 Nov;31(10):1012-1017. doi: 10.1097/CAD.0000000000000925.

Abstract

Tumor cells can activate platelets, which in turn facilitate tumor cell survival and dissemination. Platelets inhibition or blocking platelet-tumor cell interactions has become a strategy to suppress tumor progression. In this study, we investigated the effect of ticagrelor, a new antiplatelet drug, on tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. Our results show that ticagrelor not only inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of B16F10 and Lewis lung carcinoma cells but also induces platelet apoptosis. In addition, we find that apoptosis of the platelet cells is dose dependent. Further, the result of in-vivo experiments proved that ticagrelor treatment decreased the tumor metastasis. The results of this study demonstrate that ticagrelor may be a potential anti-tumor agent for tumor metastasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Blood Platelets / drug effects*
  • Blood Platelets / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Lewis Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Lewis Lung / pathology
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Male
  • Melanoma, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma, Experimental / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Ticagrelor / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Ticagrelor