These results suggest that co-treatment with the thrombin inhibitor dabigatran etexilate and low dose cisplatin significantly inhibit ovarian tumor growth and ascites development by modulating the tumor microenvironment in several notable and novel ways: 1) co-treatment significantly reduced Gr1+CD11b+ and CD11c+CD11b+ myeloid derived suppresser cell populations; 2) decreased levels of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-10, IL-6, TGF-β and VEGF; and 3) increased IFN-γ production by CD8+ T-cells. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is neoplasm.