Selectins facilitate carcinoma metastasis and heparin can prevent them.

Selectins are cell adhesion molecules mediating attachment of leukocytes to activated endothelium as well as the adhesion reaction of tumors during malignancy. Heparin, which is known to attenuate metastasis, is a potent blocker of selectins. Here, the role of selectins in metastasis and the potential of heparin to modulate malignancy are discussed.