A parametric study of motion and attachment to capillary walls of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) interacting with non-activated and activated platelets

It is found that the number of platelets enhances the adhesion of the CTC to the wall due to effects on the fluid flow field and the overall increase in adhesion force with a higher number of platelets. Furthermore, it was found that adherence (metastasis), under otherwise identical conditions, is enhanced in the case of a softer cell. Although the 2D model simplifies real 3D conditions, it provides insight into the effects of geometrical and material parameters relevant to metastasis within capillaries in the presence of both non-activated and activated platelets.