Although the role of platelets as central mediators of hemostasis and thrombosis has been the primary focus of research into platelet biology for more than a century, over the last decade, nonhemostatic functions of platelets have been increasingly defined. As such, a large body of experimental evidence now exists, which places the platelet as a key player in mediating a diverse range of immune, inflammatory, and malignant disease processes. This review outlines the central mechanisms that underpin the nonhemostatic role of platelets and provides a summary of evidence demonstrating a role for platelets in mediating selected inflammatory, immune, and malignant disease processes.
Keywords: Cancer; Inflammation; Leukocytes; Platelets; Thrombosis.
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