Paraneoplastic Leukocytosis and Thrombocytosis as Prognostic Biomarkers in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Background and Objectives: Search for inexpensive laboratory markers have identified associations between blood counts and lung cancer outcomes. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of paraneoplastic leukocytosis(p-Leukocytosis) and paraneoplastic thrombocytosis(p-Thrombocytosis) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). We also studied their relation to the expression of commonly detected molecular markers. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review on 571 consecutive NSCLC patients over a 10 year period. Blood counts were recorded at the time of cancer diagnosis. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to compare overall survival(OS) between patients with and without p-Leukocytosis(or) p-Thrombocytosis(p-Leuko/Thrombocytosis). Cox regression was used to determine if leukocytosis/thrombocytosis was a predictor of OS in NSCLC.Results: Patients with p-Leukocytosis and p-Thrombocytosis had a significantly poorer survival compared patients with normal blood counts(P<0.001). In a multivariate survival analysis, both continued to correlate even when adjusted for histology, gender, stage and chemotherapy(P<0.01, 0.03 respectively). Stage I and II NSCLC with p-Leuko/Thrombocytosis did not perform poorly compared to stage I/II NSCLC patients without paraneoplasia. Patients with the combined leukothrombocytosis syndrome did not have worse outcomes compared to those with either paraneoplastic syndrome alone. Conclusions: p-Leuko/Thrombocytosis is an accessible laboratory parameter of prognostic value in NSCLC. Evidence of p-Leuko/Thrombocytosis portends poor survival. The role of various cytokines in tumor pathobiology provides a rationale for identifying cytokine factors responsible for the paraneoplasia and administering anti-cytokine therapies alongside traditional chemotherapy in an attempt to improve survival outcomes in these subset of patients.

Thrombocytosis as a prognostic marker in gastrointestinal cancers

Thrombocytosis is an adverse prognostic factor in many types of cancer. These include breast cancer, ovarian and other gynecologic cancers, renal cell carcinoma and lung cancers. In gastrointestinal cancers of various locations and histologic types, thrombocytosis has been reported in general to be associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Platelet count measurement is well standardized and available in every clinical laboratory, making its use as a prognostic marker practical. This paper will discuss the data on the prognostic value of thrombocytosis in gastrointestinal cancers as well as pathogenic aspects of the association that strengthen the case for its use in clinical prognostication.

Essential Thrombocytosis and Fatal Coronary Graft Occlusion: A Case Report

Essential thrombocytosis (ET) is a rare myeloproliferative disorder, which is a major risk factor for thrombosis and bleeding, which complicates cardiovascular surgery. ET is a risk factor for coronary artery disease that should be treated. We present a case of a male with ET who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at the University Hospital of the West Indies, and died post-surgery. Post mortem revealed early graft thrombosis. We believe that post-operative aspirin therapy maybe would have prevented this fatal outcome.

Thrombocytosis Accompanying Renal Abscess: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Reactive thrombocytosis can be seen in patients with various kinds of infections, including upper urinary tract infection. Thrombocytosis in patients with upper urinary tract infection is a response of the bone marrow to the infection and is therefore classified as secondary thrombocytosis. We report a case of thrombocytosis accompanying renal abscess. In this case report, we present that thrombocytosis in a patient with upper urinary tract infection is not a random condition and is associated with renal abscess which is a complication of disease.

Multipotent role of platelets in inflammatory bowel diseases:A clinical approach

There is evidence that inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) combine both inflammation and coagulation in their pathogenesis and clinical manifestations. Although platelets (PLT) are well known for their role in hemostasis, there are a rising number of studies supporting their considerable role as inflammatory amplifiers in chronic inflammatory conditions. IBD are associated with several alterations of PLT, including number, shape, and function, and these abnormalities are mainly attributed to the highly activated state of circulating PLT in IBD patients. When PLT activate, they increase in size, release a great variety of bio-active inflammatory and procoagulant molecules/particles, and express a variety of inflammatory receptors. These inflammatory products may represent a part of the missing link between coagulation and inflammation, and can be considered as possible IBD pathogenesis instigators. In clinical practice, thrombocytosis is associated both with disease activity and iron deficiency anemia. Controlling inflammation and iron replacement in anemic patients usually leads to a normalization of PLT count. The aim of this review is to update the role of PLT in IBD and present recent data revealing the possible therapeutic implications of anti-PLT agents in future IBD remedies.

Significance of platelet count in children admitted with bronchiolitis

AIM To determine the true prevalence of thrombocytosis in children less than 2 years of age with bronchiolitis,its association with risk factors,disease severity and thromboembolic complications.METHODS A retrospective observational medical chart review of 305 infants aged two years or less hospitalized for bronchiolitis.Clinical outcomes included disease severity,duration of hospital stay,admission to pediatric intensive care unit,or death.They also included complications of thrombocytosis,including thromboembolic complications such as cerebrovascular accident,acute coronary syndrome,deep venous thrombosis,pulmonary embolus,mesenteric thrombosis and arterial thrombosis and also hemorrhagic complications such as bleeding(spontaneous hemorrhage in the skin,mucous membranes,gastrointestinal,respiratory,or genitourinary tracts).RESULTS The median age was 4.7 mo and 179 were males(59%).Respiratory syncytial virus was isolated in 268(84%),adenovirus in 23(7%) and influenza virus A or B in 13(4%).Thrombocytosis(platelet count > 500 × 109/L) occurred in 88(29%;95%CI:24%-34%),more commonly in younger infants with the platelet count declining with age.There was no significant association with the duration of illness,temperature on admission,white blood cell count,serum C-reactive protein concentration,length of hospital stay or admission to the intensive care unit.No death,thrombotic or hemorrhagic events occurred.CONCLUSION Thrombocytosis is common in children under two years of age admitted with bronchiolitis.It is not associated with disease severity or thromboembolic complications.

Post splenectomy related pulmonary hypertension

Splenectomy predisposes patients to a slew of infectious and non-infectious complications including pulmonary vascular disease. Patients are at increased risk for venous thromboembolic events due to various mechanisms that may lead to chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension(CTEPH). The development of CTEPH and pulmonary vasculopathy after splenectomy involves complex pathophysiologic mechanisms, some of which remain unclear. This review attempts to congregate the current evidence behind our understanding about the etio-pathogenesis of pulmonary vascular disease related to splenectomy and highlight the controversies that surround its management.

Relationship between platelet count and gastric cancer stage and prognosis

Objective:The aim of the research was to investigate the relationship between gastric cancer stage, prognosis and blood platelets count. Methods: Platelet (PLT) count was analyzed retrospectively in 203 patients with gastric cancer from 1998 to 2002. The survivals of gastric cancer were compared between normal PLT group and thrombocytosis group. Results: Among 203 cases, PLT increased in 21 cases. The average platelet counts of patients at different stages had statistically significant differences (P<0.01). The 3-and 5-year survivals in patients of thrombocytosis group were lower than those of the normal PLT group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Thrombocytosis in gastric cancers with advanced stage are common. And PLT count can be a prognostic indicator of survival in patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy.

High plasma CD40 ligand level is associated with more advanced stages and worse prognosis in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)is often associated with elevated platelet count(>400×10^(9)/L),known as thrombocytosis.The role of CD40 ligand(CD40L),a member of the tumor necrosis factor family,is controversial in CRC.Circulating CD40L is higher in CRC,but its relationship with disease staging and local and distant metastasis is not clear.Although most of the circulating CD40L is produced by platelets,no previous study investigated its relationship with CRC-related thrombocytosis.AIM To investigate the role of CD40L to predict the outcome of CRC and its relation to thrombocytosis.METHODS A total of 106 CRC patients and 50 age and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled for the study.Anamnestic data including comorbidities and histopathological data were collected.Laboratory measurements were performed at the time of CRC diagnosis and 1.5 mo and at least 6 mo after the surgical removal of the tumor.Plasma CD40L and thrombopoietin were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,while plasma interleukin-6 was measured via electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.Patient follow-ups were terminated on January 31,2021.RESULTS Plasma CD40L of CRC patients was tendentiously higher,while platelet count(P=0.0479),interleukin-6(P=0.0002),and thrombopoietin(P=0.0024)levels were significantly higher as opposed to the control subjects.Twelve of the 106 CRC patients(11.3%)had thrombocytosis.Significantly higher CD40L was found in the presence of distant metastases(P=0.0055)and/or thrombocytosis(P=0.0294).A connection was found between CD40L and platelet count(P=0.0045),interleukin-6(P=0.0130),and thrombocytosis(P=0.0155).CD40L was constant with the course of CRC,and all baseline differences persisted throughout the whole study.Both pre-and postoperative elevated platelet count,CD40L,and interleukin-6 level were associated with poor overall and disease-specific survival of patients.The negative effect of CD40L and interleukin-6 on patient survival remained even after the stratification by thrombocytosis.CONCLUSION CD40L levels of CRC patients do not change with the course of the disease.The CD40L level is strongly correlated with platelet count,interleukin-6,thrombocytosis,and the presence of distant metastases.

Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Thioacteamide and Alterations in Blood Cell Indices in Rats

Background: Thioacetamide (TAA) has been used extensively in the development of suitable animal models of acute and chronic liver injury employing various doses, times and routes of its administration, particularly in drinking water due to its resemblance with human liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare hematological alteration during the acute and chronic liver inflammation. Methods: Acute Liver inflammation was induced in Wistar rats via intraperitoneal injection of thioacetamide and the animals were sacrificed 12 h after the TAA administration. Induction of chronic liver inflammation was performed by continuous administration of TAA in the drinking water (200 mg/L) during 18 weeks of experiment. After that all animals were sacrificed and Blood samples were collected for further analysis. Results: Single intra peritoneal injection of TAA (300 mg/kg B.W.) induced an acute condition with hematological changes including leukocytosis with marked neutrophilia (P = 0.0429), lymphopenia, thrombocytosis as well as increased hemoglobin concentration (P 0.05) and decline of erythrocytic count (P = 0.0009). Eighteen weeks of uninterrupted supply of TAA (200 mg/L) in drinking water lead to chronic inflammation and the hematological alterations were leucopenia (P = 0.0197) accompanied with neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Increase in RBCs (P = 0.0073) and Hb contents was also observed with a decline of red cell indices. Conclusion: Taken together these findings we can conclude that the animals respond differently under acute and chronic inflammatory condition with TAA administration. Leukocytosis with marked neutrophilia, thrombocytosis as well as increased hemoglobin concentration and decline of erythrocytic count were observed in acute while leucopenia accompanied with neutropenia and thrombocytopenia and increase in RBCs, Hb and Hct was also observed with a decline of other red cell indices during chronic phase.