Angiogenesis inhibition and tumor regression caused by heparin or a heparin fragment in the presence of cortisone

Heparin or a heparin fragment administered with cortisone inhibited angiogenesis, caused regression of large tumor masses, and prevented metastases. Oral administration of heparin resulted in the release of non-anticoagulant heparin fragments in the serum which, in the presence of cortisone, had similar antiangiogenic and antitumor effects. Of all the heparin fragments tested, the most potent inhibition of angiogenesis in the presence of cortisone was provided by a hexasaccharide with a molecular weight of about 1600.