Hemorheologic approach for reduction/prevention of cancer metastasis formation
Methods and compositions for the treatment, amelioration, or prevention of cancer and/or cancer metastasis by delivery of a hemodynamics altering agent such as a drag reducing polymer (DRP).
1. A method for treating or ameliorating, cancer metastases in a subject having breast cancer comprising delivery to the subject a dosage of polyethylene oxide (PEO) wherein the PEO is a drag reducing polymer (DRP) that is a linear or branched blood soluble non-toxic macromolecule with a molecular weight near or over 10 6 Daltons.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the PEO is delivered to the subject before, during, or after an event known or believed to increase the likelihood of the presence of cancer cells in the subject's microvasculature.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the PEO is delivered to the subject before, during, or after surgery.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein multiple dosages are delivered to the subject in order to maintain a specific concentration or concentration range in the subject's blood for an extended period of time.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the extended period of time is longer than 72 hours.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein the extended period of time is longer than one week.
7. The method of claim 4 wherein the extended period of time is longer than one month.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the dosage of PEO produces an intravenous concentration of PEO in the subject's blood of between 0.1 and 10 ppm.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the dosage of PEO produces an intraperitoneal concentration of PEO between 10 and 100 ppm.
10. The method of claim 5 wherein multiple dosages are delivered to the subject in order to maintain an intravenous concentration of between 0.1 and 10 ppm over an extended period of time.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the PEO is delivered in conjunction with another method of treatment.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the other method of treatment is radiation therapy.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the subject has developed detectable cancer-related tumors.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the PEO has a molecular weight of 4000 kDa+/−3500 kDa.
15. A method for the reduction and/or prevention of cancer metastasis by rheological modulation of blood flow to reduce and/or prevent extravasation of cancer cells comprising delivering a dosage of polyethylene oxide (PEO) wherein the PEO is a linear or branched, blood soluble non-toxic macromolecule with a molecular weight over 10 6 Daltons.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein multiple dosages are delivered.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the dosage is delivered after surgery.
18. The method of claim 15 wherein the surgery comprises removal of cancer cells.
19. The method of claim 15 wherein the PEO has a molecular weight of 4000 kDa+/−3500 kDa.