Inhibition of tumour vascularization by tranexamic acid. Experimental studies on possible mechanisms

The vascularization of an intramuscularly transplanted rat sarcoma was studied by microangiography. Administration of tranexamic acid as well as of indomethacin reduced the vascular connections between tumour and surrounding normal muscle. These drugs also reduced tumour growth rate irrespective of whether they were administered early or late during tumour growth. An electron microscopy study of tumour specimens from animals given tranexamic acid did not reveal any degenerative vascular changes. One explanation of the inhibition of tumour growth and vascularization by tranexamic acid and by indomethacin may be reduction of a local inflammatory reaction induced by tumour transplantation and stimulating tumour vascularization.