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Effect of Defibrination on Tumor Growth and Response to Chemotherapy¹

Department of Medicine [W. D. D., H. C. K., S. B.] and Cancer Center [W. D. D., S. B.], Northwestern University School of Medicine; Northwestern Memorial Hospital [W. D. D.]; and Veterans Administration Lakeside Hospital [H. C. K.], Chicago, Illinois 60611

Other investigators have demonstrated fibrin deposition in tumors. Experiments were therefore designed to test whether systemic defibrination would alter 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. Similarly, defibrination plus fibrinolytic therapy with streptokinase did not affect responsiveness to cyclophosphamide. Long-term defibrination did not affect tumor growth. These results suggest three possible interpretations: (a) the coagulation system may not be important in tumor growth and response to chemotherapy; (b) adequate clearing of fibrin from the tumor was not accomplished in our experiments; or (c) other factors such as platelet deposition may be involved and platelet function was not inhibited by the therapies used in our experiments.

¹ Supported by Grant CA 5145 from the National Cancer Institute and by a grant from the Wadsworth Memorial Fund of Northwestern University Medical School.

Received 3/ 9/76. Accepted 6/14/76.