Statistics

Statistical analyses and graphs were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics (version 22.0 for Windows, IBM Corp.) and GraphPad Prism (version 7.04 for Windows, GraphPad software). All expression experiments and functional experiments were performed in triplicates. One-way ANOVA and Two-way ANOVA (Multiple comparisons test) were used. Two-tailed unpaired t-test, was performed. CTCs were assessed as a continuous (number of CTCs) and CD61 expression was defined as a dichotomous variable (positive or negative). Dynamics of tumor cell growth after platelets addition were studied using non-linear regression (second order polynomial, quadratic) best-fit modeling, moreover tumor cell growth with or without platelets were compared at 24 h and 48 h. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.