Fig. 3. Head of pancreas cancer (HoPC) is associated with changes in platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), increased platelet VEGF content and platelet activation. Platelet characteristics were measured in healthy controls (C, n Z 42) and in patients with HoPC (subdivided according to TNM-stage: IeII, n Z 29 and IIIeIV, n Z 13). (AeB) Whole blood platelet count and MPV were measured after blood collection. Platelets and platelet-free plasma (PFP) were isolated from whole blood and concentrations of VEGF, PDGF, CTAPIII, PF4 and TSP-1 were determined. Only significantly changed parameters are shown: VEGF concentration in platelets (C), and PDGF, PF4, CTAPIII and TSP-1 concentrations in PFP (DeG). Data are presented as means with standard errors of the means. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001. TNM, tumour-node-metastasis; PDGF, platelet-derived growth factor; PF4, platelet factor 4; CTAPIII, connective tissueeactivating peptide III; TSP-1, thrombospondin-1; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.
...read more