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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
Flow Cytometry-based Assay for the Monitoring of NK Cell Functions
Published on: October 30, 2016
Anticoagulant drugs increase natural killer cell activity in lung cancer
V Bobek1, M Boubelik, A Fiserová
1Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague, Department of Molecular Biology, Ruska 87, 10034 Prague, Czech Republic. vbobek@centrum.cz
Background:
In preclinical studies in animal models and in initial clinical trials, anticoagulation drugs have been shown to be effective in the prevention and treatment of haematogenous metastasis, and in the prolongation of survival in animal models. However, only a few studies have been performed on the direct influence of anticoagulation drugs on the immune system.
Objective:
The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of warfarin, unfractioned heparin, low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs), and acetylsalicylic acid anticoagulants on the functional activity of natural killer (NK) cells.
Patients And Method:
Cytotoxic activity in patients with early, operable stages of non-small-cell lung cancer was compared with healthy volunteers. Cytotoxic studies were also carried out in tumor-bearing animals.
Results:
Lung-cancer patients were characterized by significantly lower NK cell cytotoxicity (7.07 +/- 3.15) than healthy donors (44.12 +/- 10.62, P < 0.001). NK cell activation was found in both in vitro experiments using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donors and ex vivo in lung carcinoma patients after treatment with unfractionated heparin and fraxiparine. Similarly, potentiation of NK cell activity in Lewis lung carcinoma-bearing mice was found after therapy with unfractionated heparin. NK cell activity is lower in lung cancer patients than in normal subjects.
Conclusions:
NK cell activation was increased by LMWHs. Other anticoagulants augment the effector function of NK cells in cancer patients and in an animal model of lung cancer. This is a novel effect of these compounds, which were thought previously to exert their effect only via their anticoagulant properties.
Insights
Anticoagulants like heparin and warfarin enhance natural killer (NK) cell activity in cancer patients and animal models. This study reveals a novel immune-boosting effect beyond their blood-thinning properties.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Oncology
Background:
- Anticoagulants show promise in preventing metastasis and prolonging survival in preclinical and early clinical studies.
- Limited research exists on the direct impact of anticoagulants on the immune system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of warfarin, unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs), and acetylsalicylic acid on natural killer (NK) cell functional activity.
Main Methods:
- Compared NK cell cytotoxic activity in early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer patients versus healthy volunteers.
- Conducted in vitro studies with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and ex vivo studies in tumor-bearing animals.
Main Results:
- Lung cancer patients exhibited significantly lower NK cell cytotoxicity than healthy donors.
- Unfractionated heparin and LMWHs (fraxiparine) activated NK cells in vitro and ex vivo in lung cancer patients.
- Therapy with unfractionated heparin potentiated NK cell activity in a mouse model of Lewis lung carcinoma.
Conclusions:
- LMWHs and other anticoagulants enhance NK cell activation and effector function in cancer patients and animal models.
- This immune-modulatory effect is a newly identified property of anticoagulants, distinct from their anticoagulant actions.
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