Researchers at the University of Oxford have discovered an unexpected and powerful new function for platelets - the tiny blood cells primarily known for their role in blood clotting. The Cancer Research UK-funded study, published in Science, demonstrates that platelets also act as scavengers, capturing and storing fragments of DNA that are circulating in the blood, including fetal DNA and mutated DNA from cancer cells. Analysis of platelet DNA via a simple blood test was found to reveal the presence of even “pre-cancerous” changes - indicating this may be a powerful technique for the early detection and prevention of cancer.
Remarkably, the team, led by researchers at the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, found evidence of fetal DNA within the platelets of pregnant mothers, and mutated DNA in platelets from patients diagnosed with cancer and even those with pre-cancerous conditions. These findings offer new possibilities to refine and improve genetic testing methods used today. Analysis of DNA fragments in the blood is emerging as an important screening method in a number of healthcare settings. However, current approaches discard the platelets and only focus on platelet-depleted blood plasma.
Bethan Psaila, Professor of Haematology at the University of Oxford and senior author for the study, said: 'Our discovery that platelets act as tiny DNA dust-busters in the blood was unexpected. One lucky consequence of this is that platelets bear hallmarks of DNA damage that has occurred in all tissues in our body - and analysis of platelets can potentially improve screening tests, including for cancer. This study was a team effort with the Universities of Edinburgh and Swansea and we are hugely grateful to our many collaborators, to Cancer Research UK who funded the study, and in particular to all patients who donate samples for scientific research.'
Read the full story on the University of Oxford's website.