Tumor-educated platelets.

[Display omitted] • Education of TEPs is conducted through direct (face-to-face) and indirect (virtual) interactions with tumor cells. • TEPs circulate throughout the body of cancer patients and play pivotal roles in promotion of tumor growth and dissemination. • Platelets' transcriptome in cancer patients demonstrates transformation post-education and offers potential for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Beyond traditional roles in homeostasis and coagulation, growing evidence suggests that platelets also reflect malignant transformation in cancer. Platelets are present in the tumor microenvironment where they interact with cancer cells. This interaction results in direct and indirect "education" as evident by platelet alterations in adhesion molecules, glycoproteins, nucleic acids, proteins and various receptors. Subsequently, these tumor-educated platelets (TEPs) circulate throughout the body and play pivotal roles in promotion of tumor growth and dissemination. Accordingly, platelet status can be considered a unique blood-based biomarker that can potentially predict prognosis and therapeutic success. Recently, liquid biopsies including TEPs have received much attention as safe, minimally invasive and sensitive alternatives for patient management. Herein, we provide an overview of TEPs and explore their benefits and limitations in cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]