New Cleveland Clinic research published in Cancer Cell shows that people with glioblastoma have more active platelets, which are cells involved in blood clotting. Platelets also communicate with other cells and can influence immune activity. The overactive platelets in people with glioblastoma slow the activity of cancer-fighting T cells, which can contribute to tumor growth and cancer progression.

Researchers from the lab of Justin Lathia, PhD, continue to investigate the unknowns around sex differences associated with glioblastoma (GBM), including why they are more common in males and are associated with shorter survival in males than females. Led by postdoctoral fellow Anthony Sloan, PhD, the team found in preclinical models that blocking a specific receptor disrupts the decreased platelet activity – but only in females.

From these early results, the researchers believe that overactive platelets likely drive disease progression and could be an overlooked target for improving the body’s immune response to glioblastoma and other types of tumors. They also believe that hormones likely regulate these mechanisms.