title: Pharmacology of Heparin and Related Drugs.
abstract: Heparin has been recognized as a valuable anticoagulant and antithrombotic for several decades and is still widely used in clinical practice for a variety of indications. The anticoagulant activity of heparin is mainly attributable to the action of a specific pentasaccharide sequence that acts in concert with antithrombin, a plasma coagulation factor inhibitor. This observation has led to the development of synthetic heparin mimetics for clinical use. However, it is increasingly recognized that heparin has many other pharmacological properties, including but not limited to antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antimetastatic actions. Many of these activities are independent of its anticoagulant activity, although the mechanisms of these other activities are currently less well defined. Nonetheless, heparin is being exploited for clinical uses beyond anticoagulation and developed for a wide range of clinical disorders. This article provides a "state of the art" review of our current understanding of the pharmacology of heparin and related drugs and an overview of the status of development of such drugs.
authors.affiliation: Sackler Institute of Pulmonary Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom (B.M., C.P.P.); National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom (J.H., E.G.); and University College London School of Pharmacy, London, United Kingdom (R.L.) barbara.mulloy@kcl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mulloy
authors.affiliation: Sackler Institute of Pulmonary Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom (B.M., C.P.P.); National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom (J.H., E.G.); and University College London School of Pharmacy, London, United Kingdom (R.L.).
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hogwood
authors.affiliation: Sackler Institute of Pulmonary Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom (B.M., C.P.P.); National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom (J.H., E.G.); and University College London School of Pharmacy, London, United Kingdom (R.L.).
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.affiliation: Sackler Institute of Pulmonary Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom (B.M., C.P.P.); National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom (J.H., E.G.); and University College London School of Pharmacy, London, United Kingdom (R.L.).
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lever
authors.affiliation: Sackler Institute of Pulmonary Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom (B.M., C.P.P.); National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom (J.H., E.G.); and University College London School of Pharmacy, London, United Kingdom (R.L.).
authors.forename: Clive P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Page
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D018925:Chemokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000494:pharmacology; D006496:Heparinoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D066329:Protein Aggregates / Q000502:physiology; D019087:Selectins / Q000378:metabolism; D012910:Snake Venoms / Q000378:metabolism; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D006496:Heparinoids; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D066329:Protein Aggregates; D019087:Selectins; D012910:Snake Venoms; D006493:Heparin; D003165:Complement System Proteins