The article focuses on pathophysiology of COVID-19-associated coagulopathy and its impact on laboratory measures of coagulation It mentions that cytokine storm is an unregulated and excessive release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, first locally in the infected lung and later, systemic throughout the body It also mentions prothrombotic state in COVID- 19 patients causes an unprecedented range of thrombosis-related disorders in affected patients
Natural killer cells Natural killer cells play a crucial role in our innate immune system and in the prevention of early cancer development. Research spanning decades has demonstrated that impaired natural killer cell activity is associated with increased cancer risk, and incidence has also been shown to decline with tumor progression. In one breast cancer study, scientists reported that molecular patterns associated with natural killer cells could be used to predict relapse-free survival.2 These cells can be detected and measured in peripheral blood, where their functionality may be especially indicative of a patient’s cancer state.3 A strong association between low natural killer cell activity and the presence of CTCs in patients with metastatic breast cancer has also been reported.4 It is hypothesized that analysis of natural killer cell activity, coupled with liquid biopsy information, will identify patients in the early stages of recurrence and also predict response to certain cancer therapies.
