Switching to Warfarin after 6-Month Completion of Anticoagulant Treatment for Cancer-Associated Thrombosis

Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 430-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chatree Chai-Adisaksopha ◽  
Alfonso Iorio ◽  
Mark A. Crowther ◽  
Javier de Miguel ◽  
Estuardo Salgado ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is considered to be an anticoagulation therapy for the treatment of cancer-associated thrombosis. The duration of treatment is recommended to maintain at least 3-6 months after the diagnosis. However, the data on continuing LMWH treatment beyond six months remains unclear. Methods: Consecutive cancer-associated thrombosis patients who were enrolled in RIETE Registry were evaluated. We systematically selected the patients who completed treatment with LMWH for 6 months. The patients were divided into two groups whether they continued to receive LMWH or switched to warfarin. The main outcomes were recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE), major bleeding and total bleeding. Survival curves were generated using Kaplan-Meier method and the curves were compared using the log-rank test. Hazard ratio (HR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using Cox-proportional hazard (PH) model. Outcomes: of the 1,502 eligible patients who completed 6-month anticoagulant therapy, 763 patients continued to received LMWH and 739 switched to warfarin. There was no significant difference in terms of recurrent VTE between two study groups (hazard ratio [HR] 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]; 0.44-1.02, p=0.06), Figure 1. The cumulative incidence of major bleeding was 2.6% in LMWH group and 2.7% in warfarin group (HR 1.05, 95%CI; 0.79-1.55, p=0.79), Figure 2. The cumulative incidence of total bleeding was 6.7% in LMWH group and 7.0% in warfarin group (HR 0.92, 95%CI; 0.62-1.37, p=0.70). Conclusions: In patients with cancer-associated thrombosis who completed 6-month of anticoagulation therapy, switching to warfarin is not associated with increase in recurrent VTE, major bleeding or total bleeding when compared to continuing LMWH. Warfarin is an acceptable alternative anticoagulant in cancer-associated thrombosis patients who do not tolerate long-term treatment with LMWH. Disclosures Monreal: Bayer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; sanofi: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; boehringer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; daichii: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. LBA-3-LBA-3
Author(s):  
Francis Couturaud ◽  
Olivier Sanchez ◽  
Gilles Pernod ◽  
Patrick Mismetti ◽  
Patrick Jego ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Patients with a first episode of unprovoked pulmonary embolism have a high risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) after anticoagulation is discontinued. Prolongation of anticoagulant therapy beyond the initial period of 3 to 6 months is associated with a significant reduction of recurrent VTE, but an excess of bleeding events. In addition, most studies assessing prolonged treatment did not follow the patients after treatment had been stopped. Thus, the optimal duration of anticoagulation in patients with a first unprovoked pulmonary embolism remains uncertain. Method: In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, we compared an additional 18 months of warfarin (target International Normalized Ratio, 2 to 3) with placebo in patients with a first episode of unprovoked pulmonary embolism that had been initially treated with a vitamin K antagonist for 6 uninterrupted months. In both groups, all patients were followed up for an additional median period of 2 years after treatment had been stopped. Primary outcome was the composite of recurrent VTE or major bleeding during the 18-month treatment period. Secondary outcomes included the composite outcome during the entire study period (i.e. 18 months plus a median follow-up of 2 years), deaths not caused by pulmonary embolism or major bleeding and the components of the composite outcome during the treatment period and during the entire study period. All outcomes were centrally adjudicated. Results: A total of 371 patients were included in the study and analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. During the treatment period, the composite outcome occurred in 6 of 184 patients (3.3%) in the warfarin group and in 25 of 187 patients (13.5%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09-0.55; p=0.0004). Recurrent VTE occurred in 3 (1.7%) patients in the warfarin group and in 25 (13.5%) in the placebo group (HR, 0.11; 95%CI, 0.03-0.37); major bleeding occurred in 4 (2.2%) patients in the warfarin group and in 1 (0.5%) in the placebo group (HR, 4.07; 95%CI, 0.45-36.38). Two deaths not related to the study outcome occurred in each group. During the entire median study period of 41 months, the composite outcome occurred in 33 (20.8%) patients in the warfarin group and in 41 (23.5%) in the placebo group (HR, 0.76; 95%CI, 0.48-1.20; p=0.24) (Figure 1). Recurrent VTE occurred in 28 (17.9%) patients in the warfarin group and in 39 (22.1%) in the placebo group (HR, 0.67; 95%CI, 0.41-1.08); major bleeding occurred in 6 (3.5%) patients in the warfarin group and in 4 (2.5%) in the placebo group (HR, 1.57; 95%CI, 0.44-5.55). Thirteen (11.9%) patients died in the warfarin group, four deaths being related to recurrent VTE and one to major bleeding; six (3.6%) patients died in the placebo group from a cause unrelated to recurrent VTE or bleeding (p=0.08). Of the 67 episodes of recurrent VTE, 52 (77.6%) were pulmonary embolism and 58 (86.6%) were unprovoked. Conclusion: After 6 months of anticoagulation for a first episode of unprovoked pulmonary embolism, extending anticoagulation for an additional 18 months was associated with a major reduction in the risk of recurrent VTE or major bleeding during the treatment period. However, this benefit was not maintained after discontinuation of anticoagulation. (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00740883). Figure 1. Cumulative risk of the composite outcome (recurrent VTE or major bleeding) over the entire study period Figure 1. Cumulative risk of the composite outcome (recurrent VTE or major bleeding) over the entire study period Disclosures Couturaud: Astra Zeneka: Co-investigator in clinical trial, Co-investigator in clinical trial Other, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Co-investigator in clinical trial Other, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Sanchez:Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Mismetti:Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; boerhinger ingelheim: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Daiichi Sankyo: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Jego:Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; actelion: Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Research Funding. Parent:Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lorillon:Astra Zeneka: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, symposium invitation Other; Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Boehringer Ingelheim: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Girard:Leo Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lacut:Bayer-Healthcare: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Research Funding; Boehringer Ingelheim: Research Funding. Leroyer:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GlaxoSmithKline: Investigator in COPD clinical trials, Investigator in COPD clinical trials Other, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astra Zeneka: Investigator in asthma clinical trials Other, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Decousus:Daiichi-Sankyo: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Meyer:Sanofi-Aventis: Research Funding; LEO Pharma: Research Funding; Bayer: Research Funding; Boehringer Ingelheim: Research Funding. Mottier:Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Boehringer Ingelheim: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Research Funding.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 3664-3664
Author(s):  
Isabelle Mahe ◽  
Ludovic Plaisance ◽  
Céline Chapelle ◽  
Silvy Laporte ◽  
Benjamin Planquette ◽  
...  

Introduction Few data are available about the treatment and complications beyond 6 months and up to 12 months in Cancer-associated Thrombosis (CAT) patients initially treated with low-molecular-weight (LMWH). Study objectives were to document the prescription and use of the anticoagulant treatment beyond 6 months and up to 12 months in CAT patients initially treated with tinzaparin and to measure clinical outcomes. Methods Adult CAT patients with solid tumor, previously included in 2 prospective cohort studies (AXA - NCT02898051; PREDICARE - NCT03099031) and still alive at the end of the initial 6-month treatment period with tinzaparin were eligible to participate in this retrospective non-interventional French multicenter study. Main study outcome was the description of the anticoagulant treatment in the management of CAT patients in usual medical care from the 6th month to the 12th month. Secondary objectives included the incidence of VTE recurrence, bleeding and deaths. A sample size of 250 to 300 patients was considered appropriate to allow analyses of 6-to-12-month data post-index event based on descriptive statistics. Results A total of 432 patients aged 66.5±12.7 years of whom 52.1% female alive at the end of AXA and PREDICARE 6-month treatment period were included in this retrospective study; 332 patients were followed up to 12 months while 96 patients deceased before the end of the study and 4 patients were lost-to-follow-up. Most patients (91.9%) had a single-site cancer. Cancers were mostly solid tumors and primary sites were colorectal (21.6%), lung (20.1%) or breast (16.8%); a proportion of 82.1% of patients had stage III or IV malignancy while cancer was progressing in 51.2% of patients. Beyond 6 months, the anticoagulant treatment was maintained in 290 of 421 (68.9%) patients of whom 241 (83.1% [95% CI: 78.3%; 87.2%]) patients were treated with a LMWH and 233 (80.3%) with tinzaparin, 32 (11.0%) and 13 (4.5%) patients were treated with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), respectively. The anticoagulant treatment was discontinued in 131 of 421 (31.1%) patients of whom 63 patients had already stopped the anticoagulant before 6 months while 68 patients stopped the anticoagulant treatment at 6 months. Mean treatment duration with LMWH beyond 6 months was 121.6 ± 65.6 days representing a mean total treatment duration of 288.4 ± 85.0 days since the index event. Between 6 and 12 months, 24 (5.7%) patients experienced a VTE recurrence corresponding to a cumulative incidence of 8% [95% CI: 4.2%; 15.1%], while 11 (2.7%) patients had a major bleeding corresponding to a cumulative incidence of 2.6% [95% CI: 1.3%; 5.1%]. VTE recurrence was more frequent in patients with colorectal and lung cancer while major bleeding was more frequent in patients with colorectal cancer (Table) A total of 96 (22.3%) deaths corresponding to a cumulative incidence of 30.7% [95% CI: 22.3%; 30.7%] were reported of which 55 (12.8%) related to cancer, 1 (0.2%) to bleeding and 8 (1.9%) to another cause while the cause of death was not documented for 32 (7.5%) patients. Clinical outcomes according the type of cancer are summarized in the Table. Conclusion These results reporting the clinical course up to 12 months of a large cohort of patients still alive at the end of the initial 6-month period following the VTE index event, provide data contributing to the clinician's therapeutic decision when facing a patient completing 6 months of anticoagulant for a CAT. Site of cancer has to be taken into account when assessing the risk of subsequent VTE recurrence and bleeding. Disclosures Mahe: BMS: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Speakers Bureau; LEO Pharma: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Speakers Bureau. Laporte:Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; MSD: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Leo-Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Boehringer-Ingelheim: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Boston scientific: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Bertoletti:Sanofi: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; BMS-Pfizer: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Aspen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Couturaud:Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Astra-Zeneca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Falchiero:Astra-Zeneca: Consultancy; MSD: Consultancy; Boehringer Ingelheim: Speakers Bureau; BMS: Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy; Roche: Speakers Bureau. Falvo:Medtronic: Consultancy; Toshiba: Consultancy; Leo-Pharma: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy. Meyer:Bayer: Other: travel support; Boehringer Ingelheim: Research Funding; LEO pharma: Other: travel support, Research Funding; SANOFI: Other: travel support, Research Funding; BMS-Pfizer: Other: travel support, Research Funding.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 3458-3458
Author(s):  
Shyam K Poudel ◽  
Chandana A Reddy ◽  
Deborah Y Park ◽  
Mailey L Wilks ◽  
Vicki Pinkava ◽  
...  

Introduction Randomized trials of venous thromboembolism (VTE) treatment in cancer have primarily focused on the initial 6-month period and the risk/benefit of additional anticoagulant therapy beyond this time point has not been fully evaluated. Current guidelines recommend continuing full dose anticoagulation after 6 months in patients who have ongoing active cancer and/or those undergoing anti-neoplastic treatment. This recommendation, however, is based on little evidence. Here, we describe clinical outcomes of patients who have completed at least 6 months of anticoagulation. Our aim was to compare VTE recurrence, bleeding rate, and overall survival in patients who continued vs. discontinued anticoagulation after the initial 6-month treatment period. Methods We evaluated a prospective cohort of patients referred to the Cleveland Clinic cancer-associated thrombosis clinic from 8/2014-12/2018. We evaluated clinical characteristics, VTE recurrence, bleeding (major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB) as defined by ISTH criteria), and overall survival in patients who continued vs. discontinued anticoagulation after 6 months. Low-risk for recurrent VTE was defined as not having active cancer and not receiving systemic therapy. Statistical methods included t-tests, chi-squared tests, Cox model, and log rank test where appropriate. Multivariable analysis was performed to analyze outcomes of interest. Results The study population was comprised 284 (73.2%) patients who were followed 6 months after the initial VTE event. Of these, 93 (32.7%) did not continue anticoagulation beyond 6 months, and 191 (67.3%) continued anticoagulation treatment (table 1). Anticoagulation was discontinued for the following reasons: low risk (n=33, 35.5%), bleeding (n=12, 12.9%), clinical decision (n=4, 4.3%) and other including financial reasons (n=43, 46.2%; table 2). In patients who continued anticoagulation, 86/191 (45%) had stage IV disease and the most frequent cancers were hematologic malignancies (58/191, 30.4%) and gastrointestinal cancers (37/191, 19.4%). Low molecular weight heparin was the most commonly prescribed anticoagulant (110/191; 57.6%) followed by direct oral anticoagulants (68/191, 35.6%). There was no difference in the rate of recurrent VTE in patients who remained on treatment beyond six months (23/191; 12%) vs. those who stopped treatment at six months (11/93; 11.8%; p= 0.81; figure 1). In patients who continued anticoagulation 6-12 months after the initial treatment period, 13/191 (6.8%) had a bleeding event (major bleeding n=4, CRNMB n=9). There was 1 major bleed and no CRNMB in the group that stopped anticoagulation. After multivariable analysis, recurrent VTE was associated with worse overall survival [hazard ratio (HR) 1.88; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.06-3.35, p=0.03]. Discussion This prospective analysis found no difference in the rate of recurrent VTE and more bleeding in patients who continued anticoagulation, although recurrent VTE rates were high in both cohorts. Furthermore, a recurrent VTE event was associated with worse overall survival. Emerging data with DOACs may alter recurrence rates and the ability to continue treatment beyond 6 months. Although limited by a small study population, this study adds to available data regarding outcomes beyond six months of treatment. Future studies should focus on exploring the outcomes of extending anticoagulation and better identifying patients at risk for recurrent VTE. Disclosures McCrae: Rigel Pharmaceutical: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer Pharmaceutical: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Dova Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Khorana:Janssen: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy.


Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 3604-3604
Author(s):  
Hyacinthe Johnson-Ansah ◽  
Aude Charbonnier ◽  
Delphine Rea ◽  
Gabriel Etienne ◽  
Lydia Roy ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Life expectancy of CML pts optimally responding to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) is close to that of the general population and recently, TFR has been acknowledged as a new goal of CML management. TKI discontinuation in the view of TFR requires the achievement of deep and long-lasting molecular responses (MR). The gold standard BCR-ABL mRNA quantification technology and MR definitions rely on internationally standardized (IS) RT-qPCR but atypical transcripts located outside the Major-BCR region, harbored by 1-2% of pts, cannot be expressed on the IS scale. Thus, most trials and clinical practice recommendations prevent such pts from attempting TFR. The Fi-LMC group retrospectively collected real-life observations to assess TFR likelihood in this rare population. Methods Data from CML pts with precise characterization of atypical transcripts in whom any line TKI was stopped for any reason but after at least 2 years of undetectable molecular residual disease (UMRD) by individualized non-standardized RT-qPCR were collected. RT-qPCR sensitivity varied depending on transcript type and local molecular biology laboratory. TFS was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Relapse was analyzed using the cumulative incidence function, relapse being as UMRD loss at any time and any level during follow-up (FU). Results Our series comprised 16 adult CP CML pts with atypical BCR-ABL fusions including 12 males (75%). Median age at CML diagnosis was 56 years (range: 21-75) and that at TKI discontinuation was 67 years [range: 29-82]. Sokal score was low, intermediate and high in 7, 8 and 1 pts, respectively. ELTS score was low and intermediate in 10 and 4 pts, respectively and unknown in 2. Most pts expressed e19a2 (n=6) followed by e6a2 (n=4), b3a3 (n=3), b2a3 (n=2) and e8a2 (n=1). Seven pts discontinued imatinib, 4 stopped dasatinib, 4 nilotinib and 1 bosutinib. Number of lines of therapy was 2 in 8 pts, 1 in 5 pts and 3 in 3 pts. Median TKI treatment duration before discontinuation was 64 months (range: 31-218) and median duration of UMRD was 41 months (range: 21-168). The median FU after TKI discontinuation was 68 months (range: 3-149). Five pts experienced relapse leading to TKI resumption. Four relapses occurred within 3-6 months and included 2 loss of hematologic response in CP, 1 loss of hematologic response in accelerated phase CML and 1 molecular recurrence with BCR-ABL transcripts up to 1.5%. One relapse occurred at 49 months and consisted in loss of a complete cytogenetic response. These 5 pts resumed TKI and regained UMRD within 6 months, including 1 pt who died in UMRD from non-CML-related cause at the age of 82 years and 1 pt who rapidly failed a 2 nd TKI discontinuation attempt. In 1 additional pt, BCR-ABL transcripts became detectable intermittently with maximum transcript level of 0.15% and TKI was not resumed. The median FU of pts who remained treatment-free was 68 months (range: 8-149). Overall, the 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse regardless of whether TKI was resumed was 41.6% (95% confidence interval: 21.9%-78.7%) (Figure 1). The 5-year TFS rate was 65.2% (95% confidence interval: 40.3%-90.2%) (Figure 2). Conclusions Our observational study of TKI discontinuation in CML pts with atypical BCR-ABL transcripts is the largest reported so far. While effort must be made for proper assessment of deep MR, preliminary results suggest that TFS pattern might favorably compare with that obtained in pts with Major-type BCR-ABL transcripts. However, relapses may be more aggressive and caution is required in order to avoid loss of hematologic responses and progression. Whether the type of atypical fusion gene influences TKI discontinuation outcome, as well as other potential prognostic factors, need to be determined in a larger series. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Charbonnier: Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Speakers Bureau. Rea: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Etienne: Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Rousselot: Incyte, Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding. Nicolini: Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: travel, accommodations, expenses, Research Funding; Kartos Therapeutics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sun Pharma Ltd.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Other: travel, accommodations, expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 167-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Meyer ◽  
Celine Chapelle ◽  
Philippe Girard ◽  
Florian Scotté ◽  
Anne Lamblin ◽  
...  

Introduction Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a difficult to treat condition in patients with cancer with a persisting risk of recurrent VTE during anticoagulant treatment with low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Recent data suggest that direct oral anticoagulants (DOACS) are associated with a lower risk of recurrence but a higher risk of bleeding in these patients. Predicting the risk of recurrent VTE with LMWH may help to select the best treatment option. We conducted a prospective multicenter observational cohort study in cancer patients with VTE treated with tinzaparin for 6 months in order to validate the Ottawa score (NCT03099031) and search for additional risk of recurrent VTE. The Ottawa score is composed of 5 variables, female sex (+1), lung cancer (+1), breast cancer (-1) cancer stage 1 (-2) and previous DVT (+1). A score ≤0 is associated with a low risk of recurrent VTE. Methods Adult cancer patients with recent diagnosis of documented symptomatic or incidental VTE (deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) treated with tinzaparin for 6 months were included in the study. The primary endpoint was the recurrence of symptomatic or asymptomatic VTE within the first 6 months of treatment with tinzaparin. Other endpoints were symptomatic recurrent VTE, major bleeding, heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), all-cause mortality within 3 and 6 months. All events were adjudicated by a Central Adjudication Committee. Time-to-event outcomes were estimated by the Kalbfleisch and Prentice method to take into account the competing risk of death. Cumulative incidences were presented with corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI). To validate the Ottawa score, the area under the curve (AUC) and its 95% CI were calculated on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis; the most discriminant cut-off was then determined by calculating the Youden index. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify additional predictive factors of recurrent VTE to those included in the Ottawa score using the Fine and Gray method and adjusted on factors included in the Ottawa score. Hazard ratio and their 95% CI were calculated. Results A total of 409 patients were included and analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis; the median age was 68 years and 51% of patients were males. 60.4% of patients had a PE (with or without DVT) .64% received chemotherapy at inclusion or in the month before inclusion. Lung (31.3%) and digestive track (18.3%) cancers were the most common cancer types and 67.0% had stage IV cancers. According to Ottawa score, 58% of patients were classified at high clinical probability of recurrence (score ≥ 1). During the 6 months treatment period, 23 patients had a recurrent VTE, yielding a cumulative incidence of 6.1% (95% CI 4.0-9.3) with a median time for recurrent VTE of 33 days. The recurrence rate of VTE was estimated to 7.8% (95% CI 4.9-12.5) for patients classified at high risk of recurrence according to the Ottawa score (score ≥ 1) compared to 3.8% (95%CI 1.6-8.9) for other patients (Ottawa score < 1). AUC of the Ottawa score was 0.60 (95% CI 0.55-0.65). In multivariable analysis, none of the potential risk factors for recurrent VTE was significantly associated with recurrent VTE at 6 months. During the 6 months treatment period, 15 patients had a major bleeding and 2 patients experienced a HIT. At 3 and 6 months, 104 and 144 patients had died yielding a cumulative incidence of 26.1%, (95% CI 21.8-30.4) and 37.8% (95% CI 32.8-42.9), respectively. The main cause of death was underlying cancer. Conclusion In this prospective cohort of patients with cancer receiving LMWH for VTE, the Ottawa score did not accurately predict recurrent VTE. No other clinical predictor of recurrent VTE was identified in this study. Disclosures Meyer: Bayer: Other: travel support; LEO pharma: Other: travel support, Research Funding; SANOFI: Other: travel support, Research Funding; BMS-Pfizer: Other: travel support, Research Funding; Boehringer Ingelheim: Research Funding. Girard:Leo Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: travel support. Scotté:LEO Pharma A/S: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Tesaro: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; MSD: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pierre Fabre Oncology: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Lamblin:Leo Pharma: Employment. Laporte:Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Boston scientific: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Leo-Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Boehringer-Ingelheim: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; MSD: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.


Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 3231-3231
Author(s):  
Trine-Lise Hannevik ◽  
Herish Garresori ◽  
Jorunn Brekke ◽  
Tone Ronnaug Enden ◽  
Hege Froen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Apixaban is a treatment option for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cancer patients. There are no data on the effect of low dose apixaban after 6 months treatment. We wanted to assess the efficacy and safety of apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily as prophylaxis for recurrent VTE after 6 months initial treatment with full-dose apixaban. Patients and methods: We included 298 patients with cancer and any type of VTE. All patients were treated with full dose apixaban for the first 6 months. After 6 months, all patients with active cancer continued with apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily and were followed for the next 30 months. The primary endpoint of efficacy was recurrent VTE, the primary safety endpoint was major bleedings. Clinically relevant non-major bleedings was a secondary endpoint. The endpoints are reported as incidence rates or fractions with 95% confidence intervals, and as Kaplan-Meier plots. Results: During the first 6 months of full-dose anticoagulation 12 of 298 patients had recurrent VTE (4.0%, 95% confidence interval 2.1-6.9), 16 experienced major bleeding (5.4%, 95% CI 2.8-7.9%), and 26 patients experienced one or more episodes of CRNMB (8.9%, 95% CI 5.5-12) as previously reported. 1 Of the 298 patients included, 196 continued with apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily after 6 months. During treatment from 6 to 36 months with low-dose apixaban 15 of 196 (7.6%, 95% CI: 4.4-12) patients had recurrent VTE, 7 (3.6%, CI: 1.5-7.2) patients experienced major bleeding and 16 (8.2%, 95% CI: 4.7-13) patients experienced CRNMB. The highest incidence rate of both recurrent VTE and major bleedings were seen during the first month of full-dose apixaban (Table 1). After the dose reduction of apixaban, the incidence rate of recurrent VTE increased slightly during 6 to 12 months while the incidence rate of major bleeding decreased during the same time-period. After 12 months the incidence rate of both recurrent VTE and major bleeding was low and remained low during the entire 30 months follow-up (Table 1 and Figure 1). The Kaplan-Meier plot of the composite endpoint of recurrent VTE or major bleeding did not change after dose-reduction. After about 9 months treatment (i.e. 3 months on low dose apixaban) the Kaplan-Meier curve of the composite endpoint flattened out. Conclusion: Dose reduction of apixaban to 2.5 mg twice daily after 6 months of full dose anticoagulation resulted in a small increase in recurrent VTE, but a marked decrease in major bleedings during the 6-12 months period. After approximately 9 months the frequency of recurrent VTE and major bleedings remained low compared with the first 6 months of full-dose treatment. Reducing the dose of apixaban to 2.5 mg twice daily after 6 months of full-dose treatment appears safe and effective. References 1. Hannevik TL, Brekke J, Enden T, et al: Thrombosis and bleedings in a cohort of cancer patients treated with apixaban for venous thromboembolism. Thromb Res, 2020 Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Hannevik: Pfizer/Bristol Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Garresori: Pfizer: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Bayer: Honoraria. Froen: Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Porojnicu: Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria. Ghanima: Bayer, BMS/Pfizer: Research Funding; Amgen, Novartis, Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, SOBI, Griffols, Sanofi: Honoraria; Amgen, Novartis, Pfizer, Principia Biopharma Inc- a Sanofi Company, Sanofi, SOBI, Griffols, UCB, Argenx: Consultancy. Dahm: Pfizer: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Pfizer/Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.


Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 4297-4297
Author(s):  
Tamanna Haque ◽  
Arletta Lozanski ◽  
Tzyy-Jye Doong ◽  
Ying Huang ◽  
Rui Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the third most common cardiovascular disease with an incidence over 1% in the elderly. About 50% of VTE is unprovoked, which is associated with higher rates of recurrent VTE and complications such as post-thrombotic syndrome. Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) refers to recurrent somatic mutations associated with hematologic malignancies that are present in otherwise healthy individuals. CH is more common with increased age, occurring in more than 10% of people over the age of 70 and has been associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. The rates of CH in patients with VTE or complications arising from this is not known. Methods Adult patients (age ≥ 18) with VTE were enrolled at the Ohio State University Thrombosis Clinic between 2017 and 2020. Clinical data was obtained at the time of routine clinic follow-up or ad hoc, and a research blood sample was collected with routine blood work. DNA extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed for the presence of CH via error corrected next generation sequencing (NGS) using the Ion Gene Studio S5 System. A custom AmpliSeq panel IAH150087 was designed to detect CH, which included whole gene sequencing and hotspots in 25 common genes associated with myeloid malignancies, including DNMT3A, TET2, ASXL1, among others, with a sequencing depth of up to 50,000X. Data was collected and analyzed using Ion Torrent S5/GS-S5 Instrument with Torrent Suite 5.12.0 version. Final analysis of sequence data was performed using combination of software: Variant Caller v.5.12.10-1, IGV5.01 (0) and Ion Reporter v.5.12.3.0. The hg19 reference sequence was used to assess for deviation. CH was defined as a variable allele frequency ≥ 2%. Two sample t-test and chi-square test were used to compare patients with and without CH for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Results A total of 167 patients are included the study. Median age is 60.3 years and 55% of patients are female. 80% of patients are white. The majority of patients have unprovoked VTE (81%); 23 patients (13.8%) have VTE associated with cancer. 84% of patients were treated with a direct oral anticoagulant. Over the median follow-up duration of 400 days, 7 patients had recurrent VTE and 19 patients had a total of 21 bleeding events (7 major bleeding and 14 clinically relevant non-major bleeding [CRNMB] by ISTH criteria). Overall, 22 patients (13.2%) have detectable CH. Patients with CH are significantly older than those without CH (mean age 70 vs 59, p <0.0001). There is a trend towards increased CH rate in male patients (17% of male patients vs 10% of female patients with CH). There are no other differences in baseline characteristics among patients with and without CH, including type or location of VTE or cancer status. Among the 144 VTE patients without cancer, the median age is 60 years old and the CH rate is also 13.2%. In this group, the mean age of patients with CH is 12 years older than those without CH (70.5 years vs 58.4 years, p <0.0001). No other significant baseline characteristics are noted. 30 distinct CH mutations are noted in these 22 patients. Most patients have a single gene mutation (77%). Gene mutations in DNMT3A are the most common (46%), followed by TET2 (13%), and PPM1D (10%) (see figure). Most mutations are missense (57%), followed by nonsense (30%) and insertion/deletion mutations (13%). One patient has a JAK2 V617F mutation without known history of myeloproliferative disease. 8 CH patients with serial samples collected over a median duration of 136 days (range 91 - 490 days) showed no significant change in CH clone size over time. Patients with CH have no differences in rates of recurrent VTE or arterial thrombosis compared to those without CH. Patients with CH have a trend towards increased rate of combined major bleeding and CRNMB events (23% vs 10%, p=0.14). Patients with CH also had a trend towards increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (mean 93.5 vs 90.7, p=0.13), although no other cytopenias or differences in complete blood count parameters were noted. Conclusion The CH rate in patients with VTE was not found to be much higher than what might be expected by age alone. We found no change in the CH rate after excluding cancer patients. A larger VTE population with age-matched controls will better determine the CH rate in patients with VTE. CH can be a consideration in designing future clinical VTE studies that assess bleeding risk. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Byrd: Vincerx Pharmaceuticals: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Newave: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis, Trillium, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Pharmacyclics, Syndax: Consultancy, Honoraria. Wang: Servier: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Leo Pharma: Research Funding.


Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 3910-3910
Author(s):  
Mohamed A. Kharfan-Dabaja ◽  
Myriam Labopin ◽  
Ernesto Ayala ◽  
Ali Bazarbachi ◽  
Didier Blaise ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Haploidentical allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (haplo) has expanded applicability of the procedure to patients for whom a suitable HLA compatible donor was not available in the past. A small multicenter retrospective study of 185 patients with hematologic malignancies who received a nonmyeloablative preparative regimen followed by infusion of bone marrow (BM) hematopoietic cells from haploidentical donors showed no significant association between the number of HLA mismatches (HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DRB1 combined) and risk of acute grade 2-4 graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (hazard ratio [HR]=0.89; P=0.68 for 3-4 mismatches vs fewer antigen mismatches). This haploidentical transplant platform has certainly evolved. Nowadays, G-CSF mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) are commonly used owing to its increased convenience vis-à-vis performing a BM harvest. Study population: Here, we evaluate post transplant outcomes when using haploidentical donors with T-replete PBSC and PTCy in AML in CR1. A total of 494 patients (4/8 HLA mismatch (group 1)=360, 2-3/8 HLA mismatch (group 2)=134) underwent the procedure at an EBMT participating center. The primary endpoints were cumulative incidences of grade 2-4 acute GVHD and chronic (all grades) GVHD. Secondary endpoints included cumulative incidence of relapse (RI), non-relapse mortality (NRM), leukemia-free (LFS) and overall survival (OS) and GVHD-free relapse-free survival (GRFS). Results: Group 1 and group 2 were not statistically different in regards to median age at allografting (54.1 vs. 56.1 years, p=0.51), median year of haplo transplantation (2018 vs. 2018, p=0.36), incidence of de novo AML (86.4% vs. 88.1%, p=0.63), Karnofsky equal or more than 90 (77.5% vs. 79.1%, p=0.70), and use of myeloablative conditioning (MAC) (44.7% vs. 48.5%, p=0.45). Patients in group 1 had a longer time from diagnosis to haplo-transplantation (5.3 vs. 4.9 months, p=0.03). In multivariate analysis, group 1 and group 2 did not differ in cumulative incidence of grade 2-4 acute GVHD (Hazard ratio (HR)=0.89 (95%CI=0.62-1.26), p=0.51) but group 1 had a significantly higher incidence of chronic (all grades) GVHD (HR=1.49 (95%CI=1.02-2.16), p=0.04). There was no difference in RI (HR=0.73 (95%CI=0.47-1.14), p=0.17), NRM (HR=1.25 (95%CI=0.78-2.02), p=0.36), LFS (HR=0.95 (95%CI=0.69-1.31), p=0.76), OS (HR=1.09 (95%CI=0.76-1.55), p=0.64) and GRFS (HR=1.07 (95%CI=0.81-1.42), p=0.64) between the groups. Presence of adverse cytogenetics was independently associated with higher RI (HR=1.90 (95%CI=1.20-2.99), p=0.006), inferior LFS (HR=1.59 (95%CI=1.15-2.19), p=0.005), inferior OS (HR=1.48 (95%CI=1.05-2.08), p=0.03), and worse GRFS (HR=1.54 (95%CI=1.17-2.04), p=0.002). Conclusion: Results show that patients undergoing haplo-transplantation with 4/8 (vs. 2-3/8) HLA mismatches have a higher incidence of chronic GVHD (all grades) without adversely affecting acute grade 2-4 GVHD, RI, LFS, OS and GRFS. Disclosures Labopin: Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria. Bazarbachi: Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Hikma: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Astra Zeneca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Blaise: Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria. McDonald: BioCryst Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Forcade: Novartis: Other: travel grant. Ciceri: IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele: Current Employment. Mohty: Takeda: Honoraria; Astellas: Honoraria; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Gilead: Honoraria; Jazz: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria.


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 1122-1122
Author(s):  
Emma Rabinovich ◽  
Shiva Shrotriya ◽  
Keith R. McCrae ◽  
John R. Bartholomew ◽  
Bernard J. Silver ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of mortality, morbidity, and hospitalization in cancer patients. Despite convincing evidence that treatment with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) offers the best outcomes for patients with acute VTE, there exists a great variation in care, with up to 60% of patients in the United States not receiving LMWH. We instituted a centralized service for care of cancer patients with suspected deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE) at Taussig Cancer Institute of the Cleveland Clinic in August 2014. We hypothesized that a cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) clinical service that provides standardized management would reduce variation in care, and lower rates of recurrence, bleeding, and hospitalization in this patient population. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients seen by the CAT clinical service. We collected data regarding demographics, cancer types, VTE characteristics, treatment recommendations, and outcomes in these patients. Outcome data included VTE recurrence, major or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding according to International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis definitions, hospitalization, and mortality. Results: The study population comprised 221 patients with suspected VTE seen by the CAT clinical service between August 2014 and July 2015. Patients were 51% female, with a median age of 62±13 years. Hematologic malignancies (23%, N=50 of 221), breast cancer (10%, N=22 of 221), brain cancer (10%, N=22 of 221), pancreatic cancer (10%, N=21 of 221), and lung cancer (10%, N=21 of 221) were among the most commonly observed cancer types. VTE was diagnosed in 51 patients (23%, N=51 of 221). Of these, 39 patients (76%) had DVT, 5 (10%) had PE, and 7 (14%) had both. Hospitalization for VTE was necessary in only 24% (N=13 of 51) of cases. The mean and median costs of hospitalization for VTE (all costs) were US$7,656 and US$2,842, respectively, whereas the mean and median costs of outpatient treatment of VTE were US$1,160 and US$824 respectively. Initial treatment for 94% (N=48 of 51) of patients was with enoxaparin. Other treatments included warfarin (2%, N=1 of 51), heparin (2%, N=1 of 51), and apixaban (2%, N=1 of 51). Of patients started on enoxaparin, 71% (N=34 of 48) remained on enoxaparin for the duration of their care, while 16% (N=8 of 48) were bridged to warfarin after a median of 9 days and 10% (N=5 of 48) were taken off anticoagulants due to bleeding or other considerations. Common causes for transitioning to warfarin were financial considerations (50%, N=4 of 8), patient preference (38%, N=3 of 8), and poor renal function (13%, N=1 of 8). VTE recurred in 14% (N=7 of 51) of patients with a median follow-up of 3.5 months. Recurrences occurred in 9% (N=3 of 34) of patients on enoxaparin monotherapy, in 22 % (N=2 of 9) of patients started on or bridged to warfarin and 33% (N=2 of 6) of patients taken off anticoagulation. A total of 10 recurrent VTE events occurred in 7 patients. Of these, 4 required hospitalization. The mean and median costs of hospitalization for recurrence (all costs) were US$19,528 and US$18,627, respectively. The mean and median costs of initial outpatient care (excluding drug costs) for recurrent VTE were US$998 and US$728, respectively. Major or clinically relevant bleeding was seen in 14% (N=7 of 51) of patients on anticoagulants, with 86% (N=6 of 7) requiring hospitalization. The risk of bleeding in patients on enoxaparin (15%, N=5 of 34) was similar to that seen in patients who bridged to warfarin (14%, N=1 of 8). The mean and median costs of hospitalization for bleeding (all costs) were US$11,754 and US$8,806 respectively. Conclusions: Centralizing care of CAT reduces treatment variation and appears to improve patient related outcomes including the need for VTE-related hospitalizations and recurrent VTE. Substantial cost savings can be achieved by avoiding unnecessary hospitalization for appropriate patients and by reducing recurrence and bleeding rates with appropriate therapy. Disclosures McCrae: Halozyme: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Syntimmune: Consultancy; Momenta: Consultancy. Bartholomew:Boehringer Ingelheim: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy. Khorana:Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Boehringer-Ingelheim: Consultancy, Honoraria; Leo Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria; sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria.


Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 5011-5011
Author(s):  
Franco Piovella ◽  
Diana I Iosub

Abstract Duration of anticoagulation can be categorised into initial treatment, lasting 3, 6 or 12 months, and long-term treatment beyond 12 months. There is a strong rationale for anticoagulation treatment beyond the acute phase in many patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE), being the risk of recurrent VTE after stopping anticoagulation high, particularly for unprovoked deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Several non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have been approved in the acute setting; accumulating evidence suggests continuing treatment with these agents beyond 12 months offers additional benefits to patients with VTE. Apixaban, dabigatran and rivaroxaban have been studied in this setting in a series of phase III extension studies (AMPLIFY-EXT, RE-MEDY and RE-SONATE, and EINSTEIN EXT, respectively). AMPLIFY-EXT evaluated patients who had completed 6-12 months of anticoagulation treatment with apixaban. Patients received either a further 12 months of apixaban at a dose of 2.5 mg or 5 mg twice daily, or placebo. Recurrent VTE or mortality from any cause were 3.8%, 4.2% and 11.6%, respectively (relative risk [95% confidence interval (CI)] vs placebo: 0.33 [0.22-0.48] and 0.66 [0.25-0.53], respectively); for major bleeding, rates were 0.2%, 0.1% and 0.5%, respectively (relative risk [95% CI] vs placebo: 0.49 [0.09-2.64] and 0.25 [0.03-2.24], respectively). In RE-MEDY, patients received either dabigatran (150 mg twice daily) or warfarin for 6-36 months after at least 3 months of prior anticoagulation treatment. Recurrent or fatal VTE occurred in 1.8% of patients treated with dabigatran versus 1.3% of warfarin-treated patients (P=0.01 for non-inferiority); major bleeding rates were lower with dabigatran (0.9% vs 1.8%) but this difference was not statistically significant. In the RE-SONATE study, dabigatran (150 mg twice daily) or placebo was administered for up to 12 months. Recurrent or fatal VTE was significantly lower with dabigatran (0.4% vs 5.6%; P<0.001). Rates of major bleeding were low in both groups (0.3% with dabigatran; no major bleeding episodes occurred in the placebo group); however, for the composite of major or non-major clinically relevant bleeding, the rate was significantly greater with dabigatran (5.3% vs 1.8%; P=0.001). In EINSTEIN EXT, patients who had completed 6-12 months of rivaroxaban or VKA anticoagulation treatment were randomised to receive either rivaroxaban or placebo for 6 or 12 months. Extended rivaroxaban treatment was associated with a significantly lower rate of recurrent VTE (1.3% vs 7.1%, respectively; P<0.001), and there was a moderate, non-significant, increase in the rate of major bleeding complications (0.7% of patients in the rivaroxaban group vs none in the placebo group; P=0.11). The phase III extension studies demonstrate the benefits of extended NOAC use versus treatment cessation, with reduced recurrence rates versus placebo, although associated with a potential moderate increase in bleeding risk; in addition, based on outcomes in patients given placebo, it is clear that not prescribing anticoagulation treatment is not a viable approach. VTE is associated with substantial costs, and recurrent episodes increase costs further. The costs are attributable to hospitalisation, treatment facility and staff and outpatient management. The lack of routine coagulation monitoring needed with use of NOACs may simplify patient management, thereby further reducing the burden on healthcare providers and patients. US and European guidelines advise long-term therapy in certain instances. They support NOAC use where they have been selected as the initial therapy choice and therapy needs to be extended beyond 3 months. In addition to clinical trials of extended anticoagulation, assessment of this therapy in routine clinical practice is essential, in order to confirm whether the results of clinical trials apply to a broad range of patients beyond the highly controlled setting of a clinical study. Phase IV data are now emerging (Dresden Noacs Registry, Xalia Study, Einstein Choice Study, Start Register) and are supportive of the findings from phase III studies. Future studies involving all NOACs will be valuable in determining the safety and effectiveness of long-term NOAC use in a wider patient population. Disclosures Piovella: GlaxoSmithKline: Speakers Bureau; Portola: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; PFIZER/BMS: Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau.


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