Experimental Study of Metastases

Ketcham, Alfred S.; Wexler, Hilda; Minton, John P.

doi:10.1001/jama.1966.03110150105029

Cited by 25 publications

References 33 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

Prophylaxis of metastases formation by unspecific immunologic stimulation associated with heparintherapy

Kiricuţă¹,

Todoruţiu

Muresian³

et al. 1973

Cancer

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The influence of unspecific (immunologic) stimulation of the reticulo‐endothelial system (RES) associated with an anticoagulant treatment (heparin) on metastasis formation has been studied in adult mice on which intravenous inoculation had been performed (tail vein) with 5 × 106/0.2 ml Ehrlich‐Lettré tetraploid ascites carcinoma cells. The mice were divided into four groups: I: controls; II. unspecifically stimulated RES; III. heparin treatment, and IV. stimulated RES (Polidin) plus heparin. The results obtained show that: 1. by unspecific (immunologic) stimulation of the RES initiated prior to tumor inoculation, the latent period before metastases developed was remarkably extended without, however, any significant modifications in the ultimate metastatic incidence; 2. association of an anticoagulant treatment (heparin) with RES stimulation (Polidin) induced a marked decrease in metastatic incidence (28%) compared to exclusively stimulating (76%), or exclusively anticoagulating (47%).

show abstract

Prophylaxis of metastases formation by unspecific immunologic stimulation associated with heparintherapy

Kiricuţă¹,

Todoruţiu

Muresian³

et al. 1973

Cancer

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Techniques for inhibiting tumor metastases

Hoover¹,

Ketcham²

1975

Cancer

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Of the four major biological mechanisms of cancer spread, hematogenous dissemination is perhaps the most significant, as it usually heralds a fatal outcome for the patient. Recent experimental approaches have shown ways of altering the metastatic process and even totally inhibiting it in some animal models. It appears that these models may be applicable to certain human cancers. To prevent hematogenous metastasis formation the process must be inhibited at any one of four levels: 1) growth of the primary; 2) invasion of vessel walls; 3) release of viable tumor cells; or 4) entrapment and growth in distant organs. Judicious handling of the primary can decrease metastasis by minimizing the shedding of tumor cells. New experimental agents prevent the release of tumor cells from the primary by normalizing the blood vessels of the tumor. Warfarin, heparin, and fibrinolytic agents inhibit the entrapment of circulating tumor cells, presumably by their effect on coagulative mechanisms. A better understanding of the benefits of combined approaches to cancer using chemotherapy, irradiation, and immunotherapy, alone and as adjuncts to surgery, offers new opportunity to study methods of controlling metastatic disease.

show abstract