Low Molecular Weight Heparins Against Tumors

Angiogenesis – the formation of new blood vessels – promotes the division of cancer cells and the growth of tumors. Scientists at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, working under the leadership of Dr. Michael Wong, have demonstrated the ability of low molecular weight heparins to increase the life expectancy of cancer patients by reducing the coagulating activity of blood. However, the mechanisms of this phenomenon are not completely clear.

The authors tested the hypothesis that the elimination of blood vessel growth factor, such as fibroblast growth factor, disrupts angiogenesis and leads to the death of tumor cells. To do this, laboratory models of highly vascularized tumors were used, which were exposed to various doses of heparin and low molecular weight heparins and compared their effects with the state of the control group tumors.

According to the results obtained, low molecular weight heparins disrupted the signaling mechanism that ensures vascular growth and suppressed the growth of highly vascularized tumors. In contrast, the tumors of the control group retained a developed fully functioning vascular network.

The authors claim that low molecular weight heparins cleave fibroblast growth factor from receptors, thereby suppressing tumor growth. Various modifications of heparins are currently used in clinical practice, so scientists hope that their ability to suppress tumor growth will quickly find its application in oncology.

Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of Roswell Park Cancer Institute 

18.04.2008