The effect of heparin on primary tumors and metastases

Abstract

The effects of prolonged anticoagulation with Depo-Heparin on the growth and metastasis of two transplanted mouse tumors, Sarcoma T-241 and Sarcoma DBA49, were studied in two separate experiments. Heparin, given daily for 18 days during the time in which the primary mouse tumor was developing, had no inhibiting effect on primary tumor growth. During this interval, however, metastasis formation for the T-241 sarcoma increased markedly; for the Sarcoma DBA-49, metastasis formation, if anything, dropped. It is apparent, from the literature, that the effect of anticoagulation upon tumor growth is variable, depending upon the degree and extent of heparin activity. Prolonged heparinization does not importantly alter primary tumor growth but does allow variable effects upon metastases. This report attempts to clarify these effects by discussing the known activities of heparin with the host animal. The effects of prolonged anticoagulation with Depo-Heparin on the growth and metastasis of two transplanted mouse tumors, Sarcoma T-241 and Sarcoma DBA49, were studied in two separate experiments. Heparin, given daily for 18 days during the time in which the primary mouse tumor was developing, had no inhibiting effect on primary tumor growth. During this interval, however, metastasis formation for the T-241 sarcoma increased markedly; for the Sarcoma DBA-49, metastasis formation, if anything, dropped. It is apparent, from the literature, that the effect of anticoagulation upon tumor growth is variable, depending upon the degree and extent of heparin activity. Prolonged heparinization does not importantly alter primary tumor growth but does allow variable effects upon metastases. This report attempts to clarify these effects by discussing the known activities of heparin with the host animal.