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Lauren Murphy
Researchers in the MRC Molecular Haematology Unit 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.
The postdoctoral researcher who led the project, Lauren Murphy, produced a video explaining the study findings:
Bethan Psaila, Professor of Haematology 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 website.
Read the full paper here: Platelets sequester extracellular DNA, capturing tumor-derived and free fetal DNA