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Swartz AW, Drappatz J. Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Central Nervous System Malignancies. Oncologist 2021; 26:427-432. [PMID: 33523555 DOI: 10.1002/onco.13698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with brain tumors are at high risk for thromboembolic complications and frequently require anticoagulation. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are a less burdensome treatment for cancer-associated thrombosis with safety and efficacy comparable to those of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH); however, there are few data to support the use of DOACs in patients with brain tumors. The purpose of this study was to better understand the safety profile of anticoagulants in patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors, with particular interest in the safety and efficacy of DOACs. Our hypothesis was that DOACs are as safe and effective as LWMH in this population. This study was conducted through a single-center retrospective chart review of 125 patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors on anticoagulation. Our primary outcomes were major bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), with secondary outcomes of minor bleeding and recurrent thrombosis. The rate of major bleeding was 26% in the LMWH group versus 9.6% in the DOAC group (p = .03). The rate of ICH was 15% in the LMWH group versus 5.8% in the DOAC group (p = .09). The severity of ICH in both groups was low with median Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5 scores of 2 in the LMWH group and 3 in the DOAC group. The rates of minor bleeding and recurrent thrombosis were low in both groups. Our conclusion is that DOAC use in patients with brain tumors is not associated with increased rates of major bleeding compared with LMWH and is a safe and effective option. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Patients with brain tumors are at high risk for venous thromboembolism and frequently require anticoagulation. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are less burdensome than low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for treatment of thromboembolism, but there is concern in the community over increased risk of bleeding. This study provides much-needed objective evidence that there are fewer major bleeding events in patients with brain tumors on DOACs compared to LMWH with similar efficacy. As the paradigm of anticoagulation in patients with cancer shifts from LWMH toward DOACs, this work is particularly meaningful as it suggests DOACs are safe and effective for patients with brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew W Swartz
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jan Drappatz
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Rafii H, Frère C, Benzidia I, Crichi B, Andre T, Assenat E, Bournet B, Carpentier A, Connault J, Doucet L, Durant C, Emmerich J, Gris JC, Hij A, Le Hello C, Madelaine I, Messas E, Ndour A, Villiers S, Marjanovic Z, Ait Abdallah N, Yannoutsos A, Farge D. Management of cancer-related thrombosis in the era of direct oral anticoagulants: A comprehensive review of the 2019 ITAC-CME clinical practice guidelines. On behalf of the Groupe Francophone Thrombose et Cancer (GFTC). JOURNAL DE MEDECINE VASCULAIRE 2020; 45:28-40. [PMID: 32057323 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdmv.2019.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common disease complication in cancer patients and the second cause of death after cancer progression. VTE management and prophylaxis are critical in cancer patients, but effective therapy can be challenging because these patients are at higher risk of VTE recurrence and bleeding under anticoagulant treatment. Numerous published studies report inconsistent implementation of existing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPG), including underutilization of thromboprophylaxis, and wide variability in clinical practice patterns across different countries and various practitioners. This review aims to summarize the 2019 ITAC-CME evidence-based CPGs for treatment and prophylaxis of cancer-related VTE, which include recommendations on the use of direct oral anticoagulants specifically in cancer patients. The guidelines underscore the gravity of developing VTE in cancer and recommend the best approaches for treating and preventing cancer-associated VTE, while minimizing unnecessary or over-treatment. Greater adherence to the 2019 ITAC guidelines could substantially decrease the burden of VTE and improve survival of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Rafii
- Eurocord, Équipe 3 EA3518, hôpital Saint-Louis, Université de Paris, AP-HP, 1, avenue Claude-Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France.
| | - C Frère
- Inserm UMRS_1166, Department of Haematology, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - I Benzidia
- Autoimmune and vascular disease unit, hôpital Saint-Louis, Internal Medicine (UF04), Center of reference for rare systemic autoimmune diseases (FAI2R), Université de Paris, EA3518, AP-HP, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - B Crichi
- Autoimmune and vascular disease unit, hôpital Saint-Louis, Internal Medicine (UF04), Center of reference for rare systemic autoimmune diseases (FAI2R), Université de Paris, EA3518, AP-HP, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - T Andre
- Hôpital Saint-Antoine, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - E Assenat
- Montpellier school of Medicine, Saint-Eloi University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - B Bournet
- Hôpital Rangueil, CHU de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | | | | | - L Doucet
- Hôpital Saint-Louis, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - A Hij
- Autoimmune and vascular disease unit, hôpital Saint-Louis, Internal Medicine (UF04), Center of reference for rare systemic autoimmune diseases (FAI2R), Université de Paris, EA3518, AP-HP, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - C Le Hello
- CHU Saint-Étienne, Saint-Étienne, France
| | | | - E Messas
- Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - A Ndour
- Hôpital Saint-Louis, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - S Villiers
- Hôpital Saint-Louis, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | | | - N Ait Abdallah
- Autoimmune and vascular disease unit, hôpital Saint-Louis, Internal Medicine (UF04), Center of reference for rare systemic autoimmune diseases (FAI2R), Université de Paris, EA3518, AP-HP, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | | | - D Farge
- Internal Medicine (UF04), Équipe 3 EA 3518, Autoimmune and Vascular Disease Unit, Saint-Louis Hospital, Center of reference for rare systemic autoimmune diseases (FAI2R), Université de Paris, AP-HP, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Paris, France; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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