Relation of Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) with Cancer: A Systematic Review with a Focus on Disease Outcome on Twelve Types of Cancer

Abstract

Inflammatory proteins activate platelets, which have been observed to be directly related to cancer progression and development. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the possible association between Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) and cancer (diagnostic capacity of MPV, relation to survival, the severity of the disease, and metastasis). A literature review was performed in the online database PubMed and Google Scholar for the period of 2010–2022. In total, 83 studies including 21,034 participants with 12 different types of cancer (i.e., gastric cancer, colon cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, renal cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, thyroid cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, gallbladder cancer, and multiple myeloma) were identified. The role of MPV has been extensively investigated in several types of cancer, such as gastric, colon, breast, and lung cancer, while few data exist for other types, such as renal, gallbladder cancer, and multiple myeloma. Most studies in gastric, breast, endometrium, thyroid, and lung cancer documented an elevated MPV in cancer patients. Data were less clear-cut for esophageal, ovarian, and colon cancer, while reduced MPV was observed in renal cell carcinoma and gallbladder cancer. Several studies on colon cancer (4 out of 6) and fewer on lung cancer (4 out of 10) indicated an unfavorable role of increased MPV regarding mortality. As far as other cancer types are concerned, fewer studies were conducted. MPV can be used as a potential biomarker in cancer diagnosis and could be a useful tool for the optimization of treatment strategies. Possible underlying mechanisms between cancer and MPV are discussed. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the exact role of MPV in cancer progression and metastasis.

Interactions of platelets with obesity in relation to lung cancer risk in the UK Biobank cohort

“…To our knowledge, however, there are no previous prospective studies to be able to compare the prospective associations of MPV and PDW with lung cancer risk described in our study. Several case–control studies have previously reported higher MPV at lung cancer diagnosis [ 14 ], in contrast to our findings, but a case–control study examining patients with advanced lung cancer has reported lower MPV at diagnosis, in addition to higher platelet count [ 31 ]. Although prospective associations may be retained to cancer diagnosis, studies recruiting cases and controls at cancer diagnosis would also reflect cancer-related changes and could thus be influenced by reverse causality, hence potentially explaining the differences between previous studies and our findings.…”

“…Little is known, however, about associations of platelet size with lung cancer risk. The available studies are few, with small number of patients, focused on lung cancer diagnosis and prognosis, and reporting mainly higher MPV and PDW in lung cancer patients compared to healthy controls [ 14 , 15 ]. To our knowledge, there are no studies evaluating prospectively associations of MPV or PDW with lung cancer risk.…”

Prognostic Value of Platelet Distribution Width to Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Following Hepatectomy

“…Activated platelets play a mediating role in tumor growth, invasion, abnormal angiogenesis, and metastasis [4,5]. It has been proved that platelet elevation is associated with adverse outcomes of many different cancers, including gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer [6][7][8][9]. Meanwhile, lymphocytes are the key cell component of immune response and participate in the anti-tumor immune process.…”

The diagnostic accuracy of mean platelet volume in differentiating immune thrombocytopenic purpura from hypo-productive thrombocytopenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…A high MPV is associated with increased platelet production while a low MPV indicates decreased platelet production [ 22 ]. The biomarker role of MPV has been emphasized in different medical conditions including diabetes [ 23 ], metabolic syndrome [ 24 ], cancer [ 25 ], inflammatory bowel disease [ 26 ], preeclampsia [ 27 ], and ITP [ 16 ]. In ITP, an increased number of new platelets are formed in the bone marrow in response to excessive platelet destruction in the spleen.…”