scholarly journals The use of direct oral anticoagulants for thromboprophylaxis or treatment of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism: a meta-analysis and review of the guidelines

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Norah S. Alsubaie ◽  
Shahad M. Al Rammah ◽  
Reema A. Alshouimi ◽  
Mohammed Y. Alzahrani ◽  
Majed S. Al Yami ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication among patients with cancer and is one of the most common causes of increased morbidity and mortality. The use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for thromboprophylaxis and treatment of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (CA-VTE) has been evaluated in several randomized clinical trials (RCTs). The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess efficacy and safety of using DOACs for thromboprophylaxis and treatment of CA-VTE and provide a summary for available guidelines’ recommendations. Methods MEDLINE was searched to identify studies evaluating the use of DOACs for thromboprophylaxis or treatment in patients with cancer. Search was limited to peer-reviewed studies published in English. Studies were excluded if they were not RCTs or subgroup analyses of data derived from RCTs, if they did not report efficacy and safety data on patients with active cancer, or if they were published as an abstract. New VTE or VTE recurrence, and major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB) were used to assess the efficacy and safety, respectively. The Mantel-Haenszel random-effects model risk ratios (RRs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate the pooled treatment effects of DOACs. Results Four studies evaluating DOACs use for thromboprophylaxis and four – for treatment of CA-VTE were included. Thromboprophylaxis with DOACs was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of symptomatic VTE (RR = 0.58; 95%CI 0.37,0.91) but with an incremental risk of major bleeding or CRNMB (RR = 1.57; 95%CI 1.10,2.26). CA-VTE treatment with DOACs was linked with a significant reduction in VTE recurrence (RR = 0.62; 95%CI 0.44,0.87) but with an incremental risk of CRNMB (RR = 1.58; 95%CI 1.11,2.24). Conclusions The DOACs are associated with a lower risk of symptomatic VTE and VTE recurrence, but the risk of bleeding remains a considerable concern. Clinical decisions should be made by assessing individual patient’s risk of VTE and bleeding.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e23156-e23156
Author(s):  
Harry E Fuentes ◽  
Robert McBane ◽  
Waldemar Wysokinski ◽  
Alfonso Javier Tafur ◽  
Charles L. Loprinzi ◽  
...  

e23156 Background: A direct meta-analysis was performed to explore the efficacy and safety of direct oral factor Xa inhibitors with dalteparin in patients with cancer associated acute venous thromboembolism (VTE). Also, the comparative efficacy and safety of apixaban, rivaroxaban, and edoxaban was assessed with a network meta-analysis. Methods: MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched for trials comparing direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) to dalteparin for the management of cancer associated acute VTE. A network meta-analysis using both frequentist and Bayesian methods was performed to analyze VTE recurrence, major and clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB). Results: Three randomized control trials, at low risk of bias, enrolled 1,739 patients with cancer associated VTE. Direct comparison showed a lower rate of VTE recurrence in DOAC compared to dalteparin groups (odds Ratio [OR]:0.48, 95% Confidence interval [CI]:0.24-0.96; I2:46%). Indirect comparison suggested that apixaban had greater reduction in VTE recurrence compared to dalteparin (OR: 0.10; 95% CI: 0.01–0.82), but not rivaroxaban or edoxaban. Apixaban also had the highest probability of being ranked most effective. By direct comparisons, there was an increased likelihood of major bleeding in the DOAC group compared to dalteparin (OR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.04–2.78). CRNMB did not differ. Indirect estimates were imprecise. Subgroup analyses in gastrointestinal cancers suggested that dalteparin may have the lowest risk of bleeding whereas estimates in urothelial cancer were imprecise. Conclusions: DOACs appear to lower the risk of VTE recurrence compared to daltaparin while increasing major bleeding. Apixaban may be associated with the lowest risk of VTE recurrence compared to the other DOACs.


Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (12) ◽  
pp. 1433-1441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frits I. Mulder ◽  
Floris T. M. Bosch ◽  
Annie M. Young ◽  
Andrea Marshall ◽  
Robert D. McBane ◽  
...  

Abstract Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are an emerging treatment option for patients with cancer and acute venous thromboembolism (VTE), but studies have reported inconsistent results. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of DOACs and low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) in these patients. MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and conference proceedings were searched to identify relevant randomized controlled trials. Additional data were obtained from the original authors to homogenize definitions for all study outcomes. The primary efficacy and safety outcomes were recurrent VTE and major bleeding, respectively. Other outcomes included the composite of recurrent VTE and major bleeding, clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (CRNMB), and all-cause mortality. Summary relative risks (RRs) were calculated in a random effects meta-analysis. In the primary analysis comprising 2607 patients, the risk of recurrent VTE was nonsignificantly lower with DOACs than with LMWHs (RR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.39-1.17). Conversely, the risks of major bleeding (RR, 1.36; 95% CI, 0.55-3.35) and CRNMB (RR, 1.63; 95% CI, 0.73-3.64) were nonsignificantly higher. The risk of the composite of recurrent VTE or major bleeding was nonsignificantly lower with DOACs than with LMWHs (RR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.60-1.23). Mortality was comparable in both groups (RR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.68-1.36). Findings were consistent during the on-treatment period and in those with incidental VTE. In conclusion, DOACs are an effective treatment option for patients with cancer and acute VTE, although caution is needed in patients at high risk of bleeding.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Cavallari ◽  
G Verolino ◽  
G Patti

Abstract Background Anticoagulation in patients with cancer and atrial fibrillation (AF) is particularly challenging given the higher risk of both thrombotic and bleeding complications in this setting. Data regarding the efficacy and safety of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in AF patients with malignancy remain unclear. Purpose In the present meta-analysis we further investigate the efficacy and safety of NOACs compared to warfarin in patients with AF and cancer assuming that available studies may be individually underpowered for endpoints at low incidence, i.e. stroke, major and intracranial bleeding. Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing the use of NOACs vs. warfarin in AF patients with cancer. Efficacy outcome measures included stroke or systemic embolism, venous thromboembolism and mortality. Safety outcome measures were major bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage. Results We pooled data from 6 identified studies enrolling a total of 31,756 AF patients with cancer. Mean follow-up was 1.7 years. Patients with cancer had significantly increased annualized rates of venous thromboembolism (1.38% vs. 0.74%), major bleeding (9.01% vs. 5.13%), in particular major gastrointestinal bleeding (2.38% vs. 1.60%), and all-cause mortality (17.73% vs. 8.50%) vs. those without (all P values <0.001), whereas the incidence of stroke or systemic embolism and intracranial hemorrhage did not differ. Compared with warfarin, treatment with NOACs nominally decreased the risk of stroke or systemic embolism (5.41% vs. 2.70%; odds ratio, OR; 95% confidence intervals, CI 0.51, 0.26–1.01; P=0.05; Figure), mainly of ischemic stroke (OR 0.56; 95% CI 0.35–0.89; P=0.01), and the risk of venous thromboembolism (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.42–0.61; P<0.001). In cancer patients receiving NOACs there was a significant reduction of major bleeding (3.95% vs. 4.66%; OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.46–0.94; P=0.02; Figure) and intracranial hemorrhage (0.26% vs. 0.66%; OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.08–0.82; P=0.02) vs. warfarin, with no difference in gastrointestinal major bleeding rates. Conclusion AF patients on oral anticoagulation and concomitant cancer are at higher risk of venous thromboembolism, major bleeding and all-cause mortality. NOACs may represent a safer and more effective alternative to warfarin also in this setting of patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Zhou ◽  
Haoyu Wu ◽  
Chen Wang ◽  
Bowen Lou ◽  
Jianqing She

Objective: In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis to assess the impact of age, sex, and renal function on the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) vs. vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for the treatment of acute venous thromboembolism (VTE).Methods: Electronic databases (accessed till June 2021) were systematically searched to investigate randomized clinical trials evaluating apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban vs. VKAs for the treatment of acute VTE. Results were presented as odds ratio (OR) and 95% CIs.Results: Direct oral anticoagulants were associated with a borderline higher efficacy in women (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.62–1.02), a significantly higher efficacy in patients with age more than 75 years (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.32–0.80), and creatinine clearance &lt;50 ml/min (OR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.32–0.99). The primary safety endpoint of major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding was significantly reduced in DOACs as compared to VKAs in both patients with age &lt;75 years (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.70–0.89) and patients with age more than 75 years (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.59–0.96). DOACs also show an advantage in terms of major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding in men (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.60–0.86) and patients with creatinine clearance of more than 50 ml/min (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.67–0.84).Conclusions: Direct oral anticoagulants have exhibited clinical preference among patients with acute VTE with decreased thrombosis and bleeding events, especially in patients with age more than 75 years and creatinine clearance &lt;50 ml/min.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 107602961985362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Zeng ◽  
Xuhui Zhang ◽  
Gregory Y. H. Lip ◽  
Xiaochen Shu ◽  
Lehana Thabane ◽  
...  

Efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for preventing primary and recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with cancer remain unclear. In this study, we conducted a systematic review to summarize the most up-to-date evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Our primary outcomes included the benefit outcome (VTE) and safety outcome (major bleeding). A random-effects model was used to pool the relative risks (RRs) for data syntheses. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation tool was used to evaluate the quality of the entire body of evidence across studies. We included 11 RCTs with a total of 3741 patients with cancer for analyses. The DOACs were significantly related with a reduced risk of VTE when compared with non-DOACs: RR = 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61-0.99, P = .04. Nonsignificant trend towards a higher risk of major bleeding was found in DOACs: RR = 1.28 95% CI: 0.81-2.02, P = .29. The quality of the entire body of evidence was graded as moderate for risk of VTE, and low for risk of major bleeding. To summarize, DOACs were found to have a favorable effect on risk of VTE but a nonsignificant higher risk of major bleeding compared with non-DOACs in patients with cancer. The safety effect of DOACs in patients with cancer requires further evaluation in adequately powered and designed studies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruchi Desai ◽  
Gautam Krishna Koipallil ◽  
Nelson Thomas ◽  
Rahul Mhaskar ◽  
Nathan Visweshwar ◽  
...  

Abstract Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) may be good alternatives to low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or vitamin K antagonists (VKA) for treatment of cancer associated thrombosis (CAT). We conducted a meta-analysis of ten randomized clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DOACs in patients with CAT. All had study populations composed in entirety or in part of patients with CAT. The primary outcome (efficacy) was recurrent VTE and the secondary outcomes (safety outcomes) included major bleeding, clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB), and all bleeding (major bleeding + CRNMB). Participants treated with DOACs had lower risk of recurrent VTE, overall (RR 0.63; 95% CI 0.51–0.79; p < 0.0001), compared to LMWH (RR 0.57; 95% CI 0.40–0.83; p = 0.003), but not compared to VKA (RR 0.69; 95% CI 0.44–1.06; p = 0.09). Compared to LMWH, DOACs showed no difference in major bleeding risk (RR 1.31; 95% CI 0.78–2.18; p = 0.31), though had higher risk of CRNMB (RR 1.60; 95% CI 1.13–2.26; p = 0.008) and all bleeding (RR 1.49; 95% CI 1.10–2.01; p = 0.010). These results indicate that DOACs are more effective than LMWH for prevention of recurrent VTE with CAT though carry an increased risk for non-major bleeding compared to standard of care, LMWH.


2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (11) ◽  
pp. 1135-1142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruria Hirsh Raccah ◽  
Amichai Perlman ◽  
Donna R. Zwas ◽  
Sarit Hochberg-Klein ◽  
Reem Masarwa ◽  
...  

Background: Studies indicate that women with atrial fibrillation (AF) are less likely to receive anticoagulants despite their higher risk of stroke compared with men. Objective: To evaluate whether the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) differ in women with AF as compared with men. Our secondary aim was to examine gender differences regarding the safety and efficacy of specific DOACs. Data Sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched through March 2017. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Randomized clinical trials that reported on major bleeding and stroke with DOACs in women and men with AF were included. Meta-analysis and network meta-analysis was performed. Data Synthesis: Five trials met the inclusion criteria. Among 66 389 patients, 37.8% were women. Women treated with DOACs were at higher risk of stroke and systemic embolism compared with men (RR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.04-1.35; I2 = 10%) but there was a significantly lower risk of major bleeding in women compared with men (RR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.78-0.94; I2 = 0%). Network meta-analyses suggested differences between various DOACs in men and women. Limitations: Patient-level data enabling control for differences in baseline risk and head-to-head comparisons between DOACs were not available. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: Undertreatment with DOACs among women cannot be justified. Conclusion: Women treated with DOACs had a lower rate of major bleeding and higher rate of stroke and systemic emboli compared with men. Further investigation of DOACs, including differences between the DOACs in specific populations is warranted.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Abdul Razzack ◽  
N Hussain ◽  
S Adeel Hassan ◽  
S Mandava ◽  
F Yasmin ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background- Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been proven to be more effective in the management of venous thromboembolism (MVTE). The efficacy and safety of LMWH or DOACs in treatment of recurrent or malignancy induced VTE is not studied in literature. Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of LMWH and  DOACs in the management of malignancy induced  VTE Methods- Electronic databases ( PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane) were searched from inception to November  28th, 2020. Dichotomous data was extracted for prevention of VTE and risk of major bleeding in patients taking either LMWH or DOACs. Unadjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated from dichotomous data using Mantel Haenszel (M-H) random-effects with statistical significance to be considered if the confidence interval excludes 1 and p &lt; 0.05.  Results- Three studies with 2607 patients (DOACs n = 1301 ; LMWH n = 1306) were included in analysis. All the study population had active cancer of any kind diagnosed within the past 6 months. Average follow-up period for each trial was 6 months. Patients receiving DOACs have a lower odds of recurrence of MVTE as compared to LMWH( OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.17-2.09; P = 0.003, I2 = 0). There was no significant difference in major bleeding among patients receiving LMWH or DOACs  (OR-0.71, 95%CI 0.46-1.10, P = 0.13, I2 = 22%) (Figure 1). We had no publication bias in our results (Egger’s regression p &gt; 0.05). Conclusion- DOACs are superior to LMWH in prevention of MVTE and have similar major bleeding risk as that of LMWH. Abstract Figure. A)VTE Recurrence B)Major Bleeding events


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunil Upadhaya ◽  
Seetharamprasad Madala ◽  
Sunil Badami

Introduction: Patients with cancer are at high risk for recurrent thromboembolic phenomenon. Use of novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) for treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in such patients is controversial. We conducted this updated meta-analysis to evaluate the pooled efficacy and safety of NOAC in patients with cancer. Methods: We did systematic search of PubMed and Cochrane library databases for randomized controlled trials comparing NOAC with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for VTE treatment in cancer patients till April 2020. The efficacy outcomes were recurrent VTE and all-cause mortality rates, and the primary safety outcome was incidence of major bleeding rate. Results: Four randomized controlled studies comparing NOAC with LMWH (1446 patients in NOAC group and 1448 patients in LMWH group) were included in our study. Use of NOAC lead to significant reduction in recurrent VTE rate (odds ratio (OR): 0.55 [0.36-0.84], I 2 = 45 %, p value = 0.006) (Figure 1). However, we did not find any significant difference in rate of major bleeding (OR: 1.30 [0.76-2.23], I 2 = 35%, p value = 0.34) (Figure 2) and all-cause mortality (OR: 1 [0.80 - 1.26], I 2 = 33%, p value = 0.98). Conclusions: This updated meta-analysis showed comparatively lower pooled recurrent VTE rate in patient being treated with NOAC, whereas similar rates of major bleeding and all-cause death. NOAC are more efficacious and has similar safety profile compared with LMWH.


Author(s):  
Marco Valerio Mariani ◽  
Michele Magnocavallo ◽  
Martina Straito ◽  
Agostino Piro ◽  
Paolo Severino ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are recommended as first-line anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, in patients with cancer and AF the efficacy and safety of DOACs are not well established. Objective We performed a meta-analysis comparing available data regarding the efficacy and safety of DOACs vs vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in cancer patients with non-valvular AF. Methods An online search of Pubmed and EMBASE libraries (from inception to May, 1 2020) was performed, in addition to manual screening. Nine studies were considered eligible for the meta-analysis involving 46,424 DOACs users and 182,797 VKA users. Results The use of DOACs was associated with reduced risks of systemic embolism or any stroke (RR 0.65; 95% CI 0.52–0.81; p 0.001), ischemic stroke (RR 0.84; 95% CI 0.74–0.95; p 0.007) and hemorrhagic stroke (RR 0.61; 95% CI 0.52–0.71; p 0.00001) as compared to VKA group. DOAC use was associated with significantly reduced risks of major bleeding (RR 0.68; 95% CI 0.50–0.92; p 0.01) and intracranial or gastrointestinal bleeding (RR 0.64; 95% CI 0.47–0.88; p 0.006). Compared to VKA, DOACs provided a non-statistically significant risk reduction of the outcomes major bleeding or non-major clinically relevant bleeding (RR 0.94; 95% CI 0.78–1.13; p 0.50) and any bleeding (RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.78–1.06; p 0.24). Conclusions In comparison to VKA, DOACs were associated with a significant reduction of the rates of thromboembolic events and major bleeding complications in patients with AF and cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document