The role of platelet-derived microparticles in the progression of acute myeloid leukemia and their application in cancer nanotechnology

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly aggressive form of leukemia. Researchers have studied the effect of cancer cells on platelet activation, and the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells may be promoted by activated platelets. Platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) account for 70% to 90% of microvesicles in healthy individuals’ blood. Interactions of PMPs with cancer cells can worsen the disease by transferring their cargo molecules, such as cytokines, proteins, receptors, miRNA, and DNA. Aditionally, in the tumor microenvironment, PMPs harbor antitumor functions. The potential of PMPs as a drug delivery system for AML cells is investigated in a numerical study. Several studies have generally examined the role of PMPs in hematological cancers; however, the present study specifically focuses on AML. Initially, the aim is to investigate the impact of the structure of PMPs separately on the progression of this disease, providing a foundation for the design of engineered PMPs. This approach seeks to utilize the remarkable engineering of nature by modifying certain structures to facilitate drug delivery alongside nanoparticles in the treatment of AML. Ultimately, based on previous studies that have employed PMPs for the delivery of nanoparticles along with chemotherapeutic agents in other cancers, a model combining chemotherapy and nanoparticles encapsulated with engineered PMPs is proposed for the treatment of AML.