fluorouracil + low molecular weight heparin

This is a combination therapy consisting of fluorouracil (also known as 5-fluorouracil or 5-FU), an antimetabolite chemotherapeutic agent, and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), an anticoagulant. The combination has been studied primarily as an adjuvant intraoperative infusion during vitrectomy surgery for the prevention of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in patients with retinal detachment. Fluorouracil inhibits DNA synthesis by blocking thymidylate synthase, thereby preventing cell proliferation, while LMWH acts by potentiating antithrombin III to inhibit clotting factors such as factor Xa and thrombin. The rationale for this combination is to reduce cellular proliferation and fibrosis (by 5-FU) and modulate inflammation/coagulation pathways (by LMWH) that contribute to PVR development after retinal surgery[1][2][4][5]. Clinical studies have shown mixed results; while the combination does not significantly improve primary surgical success rates or visual outcomes overall, it may reduce PVR occurrence in high-risk subgroups[1][2][6].

Other names

5-fluorouracil + low molecular weight heparin5-FU + LMWH