EFFECT OF DEFIBRINATION ON TUMOR-GROWTH AND RESPONSE TO CHEMOTHERAPY

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 36  (10) , 3584-3587
Abstract
Other investigators demonstrated fibrin deposition in tumors. Experiments were designed to test whether systemic defibrination would alter [mouse Lewis lung] tumor growth or tumor response to chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide. Defibrination with Ancrod, a venom extract of Agkistrodon rhodostoma, did not significantly affect tumor sensitivity to chemotherapy. Defibrination plus fibrinolytic therapy with streptokinase did not affect responsiveness to cyclophosphamide. Long-term defibrination did not affect tumor growth. These results suggest 3 possible interpretations: the coagulation system may not be important in tumor growth and response to chemotherapy; adequate clearing of fibrin from the tumor was not accomplished in these experiments; or other factors such as platelet deposition may be involved and platelet function was not inhibited by the therapies used in these experiments.