The Role of Heparin in Lung Cancer - The Role of Heparin in Lung Cancer - Open Access Pub

Non-small cell lung cancer is a major health problem worldwide. Surgery is still the mainstay of treatment especially in early stages of the disease. Despite the fact that surgery is the potentially curative treatment, the recurrence and mortality rates are still high specifically with more advanced stages of cancer. Heparin has been suggested to have a positive impact on the outcome of various cancers through its anticoagulants properties and; in some instances; due to their antitumor activity. Recently, the molecular mechanisms of tumor cell spreading have been recognised. Metastasis is a complex process that could be therapeutically affected wherever certain extra-cellular matrix proteins could play an important role in prevention of tumor cell migration and invasion. Experimental studies have shown decreased metastases development after heparin use in rat models. We have reviewed the literature to study the role of anticoagulants in cancer patients in general and in patients with Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) specifically. DOI10.14302/issn.2639-1716.jn-17-1499 Haematological complications especially coagulation problems are more frequent in cancer patients. The association between cancer and venous thrombo-embolic events is well established 1, 2. Cancer cells can produce activators that can initiate the coagulation cascade. This relationship between anticoagulants and cancer disclosed the potential beneficial effects of the use of anticoagulants in the prevention or treatment of cancer 2, 3. The main cause of diminished survival in different types of cancer is tumor recurrence or tumor metastases. Several studies showed methods to reduce tumor progression 3, 4, 5. Although an optimized surgical technique is the main determining factor 5, the application of various drugs for preventive strategy is also another important factor 6. Recently, the molecular mechanisms of tumor cell spreading have been recognized. Metastasis is a complex process that could be therapeutically affected. Certain extra-cellular matrix proteins could play an important role in prevention of tumor cell migration and invasion 7, 8, 9. Cell adhesion is an important factor in cancer invasion. Experimental studies have shown decreased colorectal metastases after heparin use in rat models 10. The objective of this article is to review the literature for the role of anticoagulants in cancer patients in general and particularly in patients with Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). The study will evaluate the effects of the anticoagulants and specifically Low Molecular Weight