ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The incidence of incidental pulmonary embolism (IPE) has greatly increased, but its clinical characteristics and outcomes are still controversial. This study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes between cancer patients with IPE and patients with symptomatic pulmonary embolism (SPE).

PATIENTS/METHODS: Clinical data of 180 consecutive patients with cancer complicated with pulmonary embolism admitted to Beijing Cancer Hospital from July 2011 to December 2019 were retrospectively collected and analysed. General characteristics, diagnosis time of pulmonary embolism (PE), location of PE, concurrent deep venous thrombosis, anticoagulant treatment, impact of PE on anti-tumor treatment, recurrent venous thromboembolism, rate of bleeding after anticoagulation therapy, survival and risk factors of IPE were compared with SPE.

RESULTS: Of 180 patients, 88 (49%) had IPEs and 92 (51%) had SPEs. Patients with IPE and SPE did not differ in age, sex, tumor type, or tumor stage. Median diagnosis times of IPE and SPE after cancer were 108 (45, 432) days and 90 (7, 383) days, respectively. Compared to SPE, IPE tended to be central (44% versus 26%; P < 0.001), isolated (31.8% versus 0.0%; P < 0.001), and unilateral (67.1% versus 12.8%; P < 0.00). The rate of bleeding after anticoagulation therapy did not differ between IPE and SPE. Patients with IPE had a better prognosis than patients with SPE in terms of 30-, and 90-day mortality, as well as overall survival after diagnosis of PE (median: 314.5 vs. 192.0 days, log-rank P = 0.004) and cancer (median: 630.0 vs. 450.5 days, log-rank P = 0.018). SPE (compared to IPE) was an independent risk factor for poor survival after diagnosis of PE in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.564, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.008-2.425, p = 0.046).

CONCLUSIONS: IPE accounts for nearly one half of PE cases among Chinese cancer patients. With active anticoagulation treatment, IPE is expected to achieve better survival rates than SPE.

PMID:37280671 | DOI:10.1186/s12959-023-00502-6

11:04

PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Tissue factor (coagulation factor III): a potential double-edge molecule to be targeted and re-targeted toward cancer

Biomark Res. 2023 Jun 6;11(1):60. doi: 10.1186/s40364-023-00504-6.

ABSTRACT

Tissue factor (TF) is a protein that plays a critical role in blood clotting, but recent research has also shown its involvement in cancer development and progression. Herein, we provide an overview of the structure of TF and its involvement in signaling pathways that promote cancer cell proliferation and survival, such as the PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways. TF overexpression is associated with increased tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis in various cancers. The review also explores TF's role in promoting cancer cell metastasis, angiogenesis, and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Of note, various TF-targeted therapies, including monoclonal antibodies, small molecule inhibitors, and immunotherapies have been developed, and preclinical and clinical studies demonstrating the efficacy of these therapies in various cancer types are now being evaluated. The potential for re-targeting TF toward cancer cells using TF-conjugated nanoparticles, which have shown promising results in preclinical studies is another intriguing approach in the path of cancer treatment. Although there are still many challenges, TF could possibly be a potential molecule to be used for further cancer therapy as some TF-targeted therapies like Seagen and Genmab's tisotumab vedotin have gained FDA approval for treatment of cervical cancer. Overall, based on the overviewed studies, this review article provides an in-depth overview of the crucial role that TF plays in cancer development and progression, and emphasizes the potential of TF-targeted and re-targeted therapies as potential approaches for the treatment of cancer.

PMID:37280670 | DOI:10.1186/s40364-023-00504-6

11:04

PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Direct Oral Anticoagulants for Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism

Curr Oncol Rep. 2023 Jun 6. doi: 10.1007/s11912-023-01428-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To present the randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence and highlight the areas of uncertainty regarding direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) for cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (CAT).

RECENT FINDINGS: In the last years, four RCTs have shown that rivaroxaban, edoxaban, and apixaban are at least as effective as low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for the treatment of both incidental and symptomatic CAT. On the other hand, these drugs increase the risk of major gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cancer at this site. Another two RCTs have demonstrated that apixaban and rivaroxaban also prevent CAT in subjects at intermediate-to-high risk commencing chemotherapy, albeit at the price of higher likelihood of bleeding. By contrast, data are limited about the use DOAC in individuals with intracranial tumors or concomitant thrombocytopenia. It is also possible that some anticancer agents heighten the effects of DOAC via pharmacokinetic interactions, up to making their effectiveness-safety profile unfavorable. Leveraging the results of the aforementioned RCTS, current guidelines recommend DOAC as the anticoagulants of choice for CAT treatment and, in selected cases, prevention. However, the benefit of DOAC is less defined in specific patient subgroups, in which the choice of DOAC over LMWH should be carefully pondered.

PMID:37278934 | DOI:10.1007/s11912-023-01428-y

11:04

PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Multiple Myeloma Patients During the Immediate Peri-Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Phase

Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2023 Jan-Dec;29:10760296231177678. doi: 10.1177/10760296231177678.