Heparin was isolated from the liver and heart in 1916. Heparin was
demonstrated as an anticoagulant in the presence of heparin-cofactor, a plasma
component. Over years many heparin molecules have been manufactured due to their
anti-tumor properties. Heparin sulfate, an essential component of the extracellular
matrix when degraded by heparanase secreted by tumor cells has shown to increase
tumor invasiveness. The anti-angiogenic properties of heparin are due to its effect on
decreasing fibrin level and inhibition of thrombin formation. Natural killer (NK) cells
destroy circulating tumor cells. The anti-tumor properties of heparin have been
demonstrated in various studies. Among various forms of heparin, butanoylated
heparin has the lowest anticoagulation strength but much stronger anti-tumor activity
compared with UFH at higher doses. The anti-tumor effects between LMWH and
butanoylated heparin are yet to be compared.
Keywords: Antitumor effect of Heparin, Antiangiogenesis, Antitumor,
Anticoagulation, Heparin, LMWH, Unfractionated Heparin.
