Roles of Tumor-Educated Platelets (TEPs) in the biology of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): A systematic review. “Re-discovering the neglected biosources of the liquid biopsy family”

Abstract

Due to their interactions with the neoplasm, platelets undergo various proteomic and transcriptomic modifications, resulting in the development of what is known as the “Tumor-Educated Platelets (TEPs) phenotype”. Consequently, in addition to their suitability for Liquid Biopsy (LB) applications, they play a pivotal role in the malignancy by communicating with Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs), Tumor Microenvironment (TME), and the tumor itself through multiple mechanisms and at multiple levels, ultimately promoting the metastasis of cancer. Therefore, this Systematic Review of MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library present in-depth insights into these phenomena, with the aim of enhancing the understanding of the complex interplay between TEPs and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). This endeavor serves to provide context and drive medical research efforts, which are increasingly focused on developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic technologies that leverage the specific binding of these platelets to the disease.