Simon Karpatkin

Simon Karpatkin was a pioneer in demonstrating that platelets directly facilitate cancer metastasis by coating circulating tumor cells, protecting them from NK cell-mediated immune destruction, and promoting their adhesion to the endothelium at metastatic sites. His work established that platelet-tumor cell interactions through P-selectin and integrins are critical for successful metastatic colonization. He showed that thrombocytosis is associated with poor cancer prognosis. His foundational research established the platelet-metastasis paradigm that drives current therapeutic approaches.