Anticoagulants and cancer. A review.

Anticoagulants (heparin, warfarin, fibrinolysin and others) reduced incidence of cancer metastases by inhibiting the formation of a fibrin matrix indispensable for peripheral fixation of circulating cancer cells. Apart from their specific anticoagulant activity most of these substances interfere directly with cell growth and metabolism, stimulating also immunologic anticancer mechanism. In clinical cases, favourable results have been obtained in various forms of metastasizing cancer, and especially in Hodgkin's disease and leukemias, by combining anticoagulant and cytostatic treatment. The results observed in other forms of cancer, though promising, are still controversial. The potential dangers and side effects of anticoagulant treatment in cancer are discussed.