Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin in Cancer Patients: Overview and Indications

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (01) ◽  
pp. 067-075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minna Voigtlaender ◽  
Florian Langer
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Vte Prophylaxis ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Increased Risk

AbstractAlthough venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a well-known cause of death in patients with cancer, both its treatment and prevention remain a challenge in daily practice. Direct oral anticoagulants have emerged as safe and efficacious alternatives to vitamin K antagonists in the general population, and recent clinical trials also support their use in select patients with cancer-associated VTE. Despite this, low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs), a comparatively ancient class of antithrombotic drugs, remain the anticoagulants of choice in many indications relevant to modern haematology and oncology. In addition to the treatment of established VTE, these indications include VTE prophylaxis in surgical or acutely ill, hospitalized medical cancer patients as well as the prevention of VTE in high-risk patients undergoing ambulatory chemotherapy. In a constantly changing landscape of approved anticancer agents, this review article summarizes pivotal clinical trial data and guideline recommendations regarding the use of LMWH in haematological and oncological patients, who constitute a highly vulnerable patient population due to their increased risk for both bleeding and VTE recurrence.

Heparins – DOACS – VKA

Phlebologie ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (06) ◽  
pp. 307-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Schinzel
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Prolonged Treatment ◽  
Bleeding Complications ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Additional Risk Factor ◽  
Vte Prophylaxis ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Increased Risk

SummaryPatients with cancer are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). At the same time they have often an underlying bleeding risk. That can often make decisions surrounding the administration of anticoagulants complicate. Individual risk-benefit calculation is necessary. During hospital stage the patients get, if there are no contraindications, a medical VTE prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Whereas out-patients don’t get a prophylaxis because they are at low risk of thromboembolism. If additional risk factor for VTE exists a decision for medical VTE prophylaxis should be taken into account. In patients with cancer and acute VTE, LMWH is recommended as treatment of choice for initial and long-term management in a body weight adapted dosage. After a period of 3–6 month and if a prolonged treatment is necessary, guidelines allow to switch from LMWH to VKA for further anticoagulant therapy. Beside the established anticoagulants like heparin, vitamin K antagonists, fondaparinux new oral direct anticoagulants (DOACs) were established in the last years. These substances are evaluated in in clinical trials. They are approved for treatment of acute VTE, for secondary prophylaxis and for prevention of ischemic stroke in patients with arterial fibrillation. In the VTE trials, 4–10 % of the enrolled patients had a history of cancer. The data shows that DOACs can prevent recurrent VTE as good as standard therapy with enoxaparin/warfarin without more bleeding complications. The results are encouraging. Because of the limited data the direct oral anticoagulants are not recommended for treatment of VTE at this time. Further studies are necessary.

scholarly journals Recent advances in the treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients: role of the direct oral anticoagulants and their unique challenges

F1000Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Farge ◽  
Corinne Frere
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Primary Prophylaxis ◽  
Disease Stage ◽  
Vte Prophylaxis ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Increased Risk

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication in patients with cancer and is associated with poor prognosis. Low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) are the standard of care for the treatment of cancer-associated thrombosis. Primary VTE prophylaxis with LMWH is recommended after cancer surgery and in hospitalized patients with reduced mobility. However, owing to wide variations in VTE and bleeding risk, based on disease stage, anti-cancer treatments, and individual patient characteristics, routine primary prophylaxis is not recommended in ambulatory cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Efforts are under way to validate risk assessment models that will help identify those patients in whom the benefits of primary prophylaxis will outweigh the risks. In recent months, long-awaited dedicated clinical trials assessing the direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with cancer have reported promising results. In comparison with the LMWHs, the DOACs were reported to be non-inferior to prevent VTE recurrence. However, there was an increased risk of bleeding, particularly in gastrointestinal cancers. Safe and optimal treatment with the DOACs in the patient with cancer will require vigilant patient selection based on patient characteristics, co-morbidities, and the potential for drug–drug interactions.

scholarly journals The Current Status of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Cancer-Related Venous Thromboembolism Treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-295
Author(s):  
К. V. Lobastov ◽  
I. V. Schastlivtsev
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Similar Efficacy ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Discontinuation Of Treatment

This article is a review of epidemiology, pathogenesis and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cancer patients. In accordance with actual guidelines, the duration of anticoagulant therapy of cancer-related venous thrombosis should be at least 6 months. The use of vitamin K antagonists (VKA) is associated with an increased risk of VTE recurrence and bleeding, so low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), in particular dalteparin, has been the "gold standard" until recently. Compared to VKA, prolonged use of LMWH can reduce the incidence of VTE recurrence without affecting the risk of bleeding or death. The main disadvantage of LMWH is low compliance, leading to premature discontinuation of treatment or switching to alternative anticoagulants. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have changed the situation. Compared to VKA, they demonstrated higher efficacy with a similar (or improved for individual DOACs) safety in patients with cancer-related VTE. Recently, the results of studies comparing the use of DOACs with dalteparin in cancer patients have been published: SELECT-D (rivaroxaban), HOKUSAI-VTE Cancer (edoxaban), ADAM VTE (apixaban), CARAVAGGIO (apixaban). Rivaroxaban showed higher efficacy than dalteparin with a similar risk of major bleeding, but an increased risk of clinically relevant non-major (CRNM) bleeding. Edoxaban had the same efficacy as dalteparin but increased risk of major but not CRNM bleeding. Apixaban showed similar efficacy and safety as dalteparin in the CARAVAGGIO study, but did not provide higher safety in the ADAM VTE study. It was noted that gastrointestinal and urogenital bleeding dominated in the structure of hemorrhagic complications of DOACs. The results of published trials are reflected in the current guidelines of the specialized societies. DOACs (particularly, rivaroxaban and edoxaban) are recommended for the VTE treatment in cancer patients.

scholarly journals Canadian consensus recommendations on the management of venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer. Part 2: treatment

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 144 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.C. Easaw ◽  
M.A. Shea-Budgell ◽  
C.M.J. Wu ◽  
P.M. Czaykowski ◽  
J. Kassis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Renal Insufficiency ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Clinical Scenarios ◽  
Increased Risk

Patients with cancer are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (vte). Anticoagulation therapy is used to treat vte; however, patients with cancer have unique clinical circumstances that can often make decisions surrounding the administration of therapeutic anticoagulation complicated. No national Canadian guidelines on the management of established cancer-associated thrombosis have been published. We therefore aimed to develop a consensus-based, evidence-informed guideline on the topic.PubMed was searched for clinical trials and meta-analyses published between 2002 and 2013. Reference lists of key articles were hand-searched for additional publications. Content experts from across Canada were assembled to review the evidence and make recommendations.Low molecular weight heparin is the treatment of choice for cancer patients with established vte. Direct oral anticoagulants are not recommended for the treatment of vte at this time. Specific clinical scenarios, including the presence of an indwelling venous catheter, renal insufficiency, and thrombocytopenia, warrant modifications in the therapeutic administration of anticoagulation therapy. Patients with recurrent vte should receive extended (>3 months) anticoagulant therapy. Incidental vte should generally be treated in the same manner as symptomatic vte. There is no evidence to support the monitoring of anti–factor Xa levels in clinically stable cancer patients receiving prophylactic anticoagulation; however, levels of anti–factor Xa could be checked at baseline and periodically thereafter in patients with renal insufficiency. Follow-up and education about the signs and symptoms of vte are important components of ongoing patient care.

scholarly journals Newer Oral Anticoagulants in the Treatment of Acute Portal Vein Thrombosis in Patients with and without Cirrhosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Priyanka ◽  
J. T. Kupec ◽  
M. Krafft ◽  
N. A. Shah ◽  
G. J. Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Portal Vein ◽  
Portal Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Low Molecular Weight Heparin ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Vein Thrombosis

Background. Newer oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are being utilized increasingly for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE). NOAC use is the standard of care for stroke prophylaxis in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and treatment of acute VTE involving extremities and pulmonary embolism. In contrast, most guidelines in the literature support the treatment of acute portal vein thrombosis (PVT) with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and vitamin K antagonists (VKA). Literature evaluating NOAC use in the treatment of acute portal vein thrombosis is sparse. This review focuses on the safety and efficacy of the use of NOACs in the treatment of acute PVT in patients, with or without concomitant cirrhosis, based on the most recent data available in the current literature. Methods. A systematic review was conducted through a series of advanced searches in the following medical databases: PubMed, BioMed Central, Cochrane, and Google Scholar. Keywords utilized were as follows: NOAC, DOAC (direct oral anticoagulants), portal vein thrombosis, rivaroxaban, apixaban, dabigatran, and edoxaban. Articles related to newer anticoagulant use in patients with portal vein thrombosis were included. Results. The adverse events, including bleeding events (major and minor) and the failure of anticoagulation (propagation of thrombus or recurrence of PVT), are similar between the NOACs and traditional anticoagulants for the treatment of acute PVT, irrespective of the presence of cirrhosis. Conclusions. Newer oral anticoagulants are safe and efficacious alternatives to traditional anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparin and vitamin K antagonists in the treatment of acute portal vein thrombosis with or without cirrhosis.

scholarly journals Prevention and treatment of thrombosis in cancer and oncohematological patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 40-49
Author(s):  
O. V. Somonova ◽  
A. L. Elizarova ◽  
T. V. Davydova
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Low Molecular Weight Heparins ◽  
Oncological Patient ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Prevention And Treatment ◽  
Thrombotic Complications

The purpose of the review is to highlight the current possibilities for the prevention and treatment of venous thrombotic complications in patients with cancer.The data of 52 scientific sources published in the Russian and foreign press in 1997–2020 are considered.Cancer patients are at high risk of thrombotic complications, which worsen the outcome of anticancer treatment and are one of the leading causes of death. Thrombosis in an oncological patient increases the risk of death by 30 times, which is associated with fatal thromboembolism and a more aggressive course of the disease. The leading role in the pathogenesis of thrombotic complications is played by disorders in the hemostasis system caused both by the tumor itself and by therapy. Low molecular weight heparins are considered the basis for specific prophylaxis of thromboembolic complications in cancer patients. The use of low molecular weight heparins after surgery and during chemotherapy effectively reduces the incidence of venous thrombosis. Direct oral anticoagulants are promising drugs for oral administration and are indicated as one of the treatment options for patients with tumor-associated thrombosis with a low risk of bleeding and no drug interactions with ongoing systemic chemotherapy.

Direct oral anticoagulants for the treatment of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism

Phlebologie ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (06) ◽  
pp. 340-351
Author(s):  
M. Voigtlaender ◽  
F. Langer
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Treatment Phase ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Longterm Treatment ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Direct Head

SummaryCancer patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) are at increased risk for both bleeding and VTE recurrence. Anticoagulation with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is the standard of care during the initial and longterm treatment phase (i.e. during the first 3–6 months of therapy) based on its overall beneficial safety and efficacy profile compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). The direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, and dabigatran are approved for the treatment of acute VTE, and the combined six phase-3 trials have included > 1 500 patients with active cancer, as defined by variable selection criteria. Subgroup analyses of these patients, either pooled or separately reported, suggest that DOACs could be a safe and efficacious alternative to VKA therapy for the treatment of cancer-associated VTE. However, the populations of cancer patients included in the DOAC and LMWH trials are not comparable with regard to mortality and VTE risk, and no specific data from direct head-to-head comparisons of DOACs with LMWHs are currently available. The use of DOACs for the management of VTE in cancer is thus not recommended by clinical practice guidelines.

scholarly journals The Prevention and treatment of cancer-associated thrombosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Ng ◽  
M. Carrier
Keyword(s):  
Low Molecular Weight Heparin ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Safe Alternative ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Cancer Associated Thrombosis

Cancer is a hypercoagulable state with an associated increased risk of venous thromboembolism (vte) that is further amplified in individuals who undergo chemotherapy. Compared with patients having cancer alone or vte alone, patients who develop cancer-associated vte have a significantly poorer prognosis. The risks of recurrent vte despite appropriate anticoagulation therapy and of bleeding are also higher in patients with cancer than in those without. For those reasons, the prevention and appropriate management of cancer-associated thrombosis is of paramount importance. Although low-molecular-weight heparin has been the standard of care for the prevention and treat­ment of cancer-associated thrombosis, direct oral anticoagulants are increasingly being adopted as an effective and safe alternative.

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