Effects of enoxaparin and aspirin on metastatic spread in a murine melanoma model.

PURPOSE: Anticoagulation/ antiplatelet treatment could potentially reduce the metastatic process, however, consistent evidence is lacking. Here we explored an in vivo model of experimental metastasis of murine B16 melanoma to observe tumor cell extravasation under therapy with aspirin or enoxaparin.

METHODS

Three treatment groups by 5 C57BL/6 female mice were injected with B16/F10 cells in the retro orbital sinus. After two weeks necropsy was performed.

RESULTS

In the group treated with enoxaparin, a marked reduction in the number of metastatic foci in the lungs, with 6-193 metastases and 0.04-2.3% affected lung area were observed. The control group had 561-1000 metastatic lesions and 13-21% affected area. In the aspirin-treated group, there was a reduction in the number of metastatic lesions (386 - 640) and area (6.4-19%).

CONCLUSIONS

Both aspirin and enoxaparin treatment affect the progression of metastases in mice, with enoxaparin being the most effective.