The Inhibitory Effect of Sulfated Polysaccharides, Ancrod or Tranexamic Acid on Pulmonary Metastases in Animals

Abstract

The pathogenesis of tumor metastasis is a complicated process which depends on the interaction of tumor cells with their host. Various host factors such as hemodynamics, blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, platelet systems or host defense mechanism may contribute to the metastasis formation. Many observations have pointed out an association between metastasis and blood coagulation, notably the frequent ocurrence of thrombi around embolic tumor cells and further intravascular coagulation. At an early stage of blood-borne metastasis, intravascular coagulation is the most important mechanism for the attachment of tumor cells to the capillary endothelium. In order to inhibit blood-borne metastases, we attempted to find more reliable antimetastatic agents through experimental models of blood-borne pulmonary metastases in rats or mice. The inhibitory effect of several sulfated polysaccharides, ancrod or tranexamic acid on metastases were examined, and their inhibitory mechanism is discussed from the viewpoint of the blood coagulation-fibrinolysis system.