Summary
Malignant conditions are frequently associated with a hypercoaguable state, with recurrent
thrombosis due to the impact of cancer cells and chemotherapy or radiotherapy on the
coagulation cascade. Heparin and, its pharmacokinetically improved versions, low-molecular-weight
heparins (LMWH) are effective in the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic events
in cancer patients. There are several lines of preclinical evidence suggesting potential
benefits of LMWH in hypercoagulation and thrombosis as well as in various processes
involved in tumour growth and metastasis.Tinzaparin is a LMWH produced by controlled
enzymatic depolymerisation of unfractionated heparin. The efficacy of tinzaparin has
been documented in several clinical trials across various conditions and in special
patient populations.The main objective of this review is to present the existing knowledge
on the preclinical anti-cancer properties of tinzaparin and other LMWH.The evidence
for tinzaparin, as well as other LMWH, regarding interference with cancer-induced
hypercoagulation, cancer cell proliferation, degradation of extra-cellular matrix,
angiogenesis, selectin-mediated binding of platelet and cancer cells, chemokine signalling,
tumour progression, and metastasis are reviewed. Certain clinical trials suggest improved
survival of cancer patients with deep venous thrombosis treated with LMWH versus unfractionated
heparin and when added to the promising preclinical anti-cancer properties of LMWH
this warrants further investigations in prospective, randomised, controlled clinical
trials in cancer patients.The benefits of LMWH in cancer might at least in part, be
independent from its anti-coagulant activities, but may still be partially dependent
on its anti-coagulant activities.
Keywords
Heparin - low-molecular-weight heparin - thrombosis - cancer - metastasis - tissue
factor - tissue factor pathway inhibitor - selectin - angiogenesis - cancer-associated
thrombosis - deep venous thrombosis - prophylaxis - treatment