Dalteparin, a low-molecular-weight heparin, promotes angiogenesis mediated by heparin-binding VEGF-A in vivo.

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Norrby K, Nordenhem A

Dalteparin, a low-molecular-weight heparin, promotes angiogenesis mediated by heparin-binding VEGF-A in vivo.

APMIS. 2010 Dec;118(12):949-57. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0463.2010.02635.x. Epub 2010 Oct 12.

PubMed ID

21091776 [ View in PubMed

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Abstract

Tumors are angiogenesis dependent and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), a heparin-binding protein, is a key angiogenic factor. As chemotherapy and co-treatment with anticoagulant low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) are common in cancer patients, we investigated whether angiogenesis in vivo mediated by VEGF-A is modulated by metronomic-type treatment with: (i) the LMWH dalteparin; (ii) low-dosage cytostatic epirubicin; or (iii) a combination of these two drugs. Using the quantitative rat mesentery angiogenesis assay, in which angiogenesis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of very low doses of VEGF, dalteparin sodium (Fragmin((R)) ) and epirubicin (Farmorubicin((R)) ) were administered separately or in combination by continuous subcutaneous infusion at a constant rate for 14 consecutive days. Dalteparin was administered at 27, 80, or 240 IU/kg/day, i.e., doses that reflect the clinical usage of this drug, while epirubicin was given at the well-tolerated dosage of 0.4 mg/kg/day. While dalteparin significantly stimulated angiogenesis in an inversely dose-dependent manner, epirubicin did not significantly affect angiogenesis. However, concurrent treatment with dalteparin and epirubicin significantly inhibited angiogenesis. The effect of dalteparin is the first demonstration of a proangiogenic effect of any LMWH in vivo. The fact that co-treatment with dalteparin and epirubicin significantly inhibited angiogenesis suggests a complex drug effect.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Dalteparin	Vascular endothelial growth factor A	Protein	Humans	Yes	Inhibitor	Details