BACKGROUNDPlatelet activation often occurs in intermediate and advanced tumors, with increases of expression and release of platelet adhesion molecule. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of activation markers of platelet and their significance in lung cancer.

METHODSThe activation markers of platelet, CD62P and CD63, were detected in peripheral blood of 120 patients with lung cancer and 60 healthy persons by FCM method.

RESULTSThe levels of peripheral blood CD62P and CD63 of lung cancer patients were significantly higher than those of healthy people (P < 0.01). In lung cancer group, the levels of peripheral blood CD62P and CD63 on the seventh postoperative day were significantly lower than those before operation and on the first postoperative day (P < 0.01). The levels of peripheral blood CD62P and CD63 before operation were closely related to size of tumor, lymph node status and TNM stages (P < 0.01), but not to cell differentiation, histology, age and sex of lung cancer patients (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSActivation markers of platelet obviously increase in peripheral blood of lung cancer patients and they may play important roles in tumor growth and lymphatic metastasis. The levels of activation markers of platelet may be useful predictors for prognosis.