Abstract
Data regarding the effect of coagulation proteins on enhancing angiogenesis and tumor
growth are ample. Thus, inhibition of the coagulation system in an attempt to reduce
tumor growth and metastasis seems appealing. However, such molecules as direct oral
anticoagulants, warfarin and heparins, may impose a bleeding tendency, limiting the
treatment dose that can be used. The heparanase protein, as a cofactor for tissue
factor (TF) activity, enhances activation of the coagulation system and in addition
has several nonhemostatic effects increasing tumor growth. The molecules currently
investigated in the field of cancer and coagulation are heparin mimetics and inhibitors
of heparanase derived from TF pathway inhibitor 2. Both groups of molecules are inhibitors
of heparanase and in addition pose a low bleeding tendency. Hence, interfering in
heparanase activity seems to be a promising target for development of antitumor drugs.
Keywords
cancer - coagulation - heparanase - heparins - TFPI-2 peptides
