Fibrinolysis and antifibrinolytic drugs in the growth and spread of tumours.

In the last few years increased release of fibrinolytic enzymes from malignant cells has been observed, but the significance of this property in relation to malignant growth is still not fully understood. Antifibrinolytic drugs decrease the growth rate of some experimental tumours and might have a similar effect on human malignant tumours. Antifibrinolytic drugs might also decrease the intravascular shedding of tumour cells from primary tumours, but might on the other hand enhance the lodgement of those metastatic tumour cells already in the vascular bed of recipient organs.