Heparin as an anticancer therapeutic.

BACKGROUND: Although the pathophysiological mechanisms remain elusive, accumulating experimental and clinical data are showing that anticoagulants, particularly low molecular weight heparin, may have an important role as anticancer agents. Although this concept was first introduced decades ago, advancement in research has been hampered by scepticism and disinterest. The difficulty with understanding and defining the mechanisms of action is reflective of the diverse activity and pharmacological profile of these biological compounds, and the limitations of experimental techniques available to explore the interactions between the coagulation cascade and intracellular pathways that govern cell growth and differentiation. OBJECTIVES: This review will address and summarize some of the ongoing basic and clinical research on heparin as an anticancer therapeutic. METHODS: A literature review using the keys words 'heparin', 'low molecular weight heparin', 'cancer survival' and 'neoplasm' was performed. Meeting proceedings from recent conferences on thrombosis and cancer were handsearched for relevant clinical studies. CONCLUSION: The investigation of anticoagulants as anticancer agents is now an innovative and rapidly growing field. Greater understanding of the interaction between coagulation and cancer will lead to improved patient care.