Venous thromboembolism predicts poor prognosis in irresectable pancreatic cancer patients

Risk Assessment Models for Predicting Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer

BACKGROUND

Data on the performance of the Khorana, PROTECHT, and ONKOTEV risk assessment models (RAMs) to predict venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) receiving outpatient chemotherapy remain limited. We performed a head-to-head comparison of these RAMs in patients with newly diagnosed PC enrolled in the nationwide, multicenter, and prospective BACAP cohort.

METHODS

The Khorana, PROTECHT, and ONKOTEV scores were calculated at enrollment prior to chemotherapy. Patients were stratified into intermediate- and high-VTE-risk groups according to each RAM. The primary study outcome was VTE at a 6-month follow-up. The accuracy and discriminatory performance of the scores were assessed by calculating time-dependent Brier scores and c-indexes. Sub-distribution hazard ratios (SHRs) between high- and intermediate-risk patients were estimated.

RESULTS

Of 762 PC patients, 73 developed VTE within 6 months. In the competing risk analysis, the cumulative incidence of VTE at 6 months was 16.4% (95% CI, 13.8-19.1). The time-dependent Brier score was 0.14 (95% CI, 0.12-0.15) for all scores, indicating well-calibrated predictions. The respective time-dependent c-index of the Khorana, the PROTECHT, and the ONKOTEV scores was 0.50 (95% CI, 0.46-0.55), 0.50 (95% CI, 0.49-0.51), and 0.53 (95% CI, 0.48-0.58), indicating poor discrimination. The SHRs between high- and intermediate-risk patients ranged from 1.05 (95% CI, 0.76-1.44) for the ONKOTEV score to 1.06 (95% CI, 0.77-1.45) for the Khorana score.

CONCLUSION

In newly diagnosed PC patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy, the Khorana, PROTECHT, and ONKOTEV scores demonstrated a poor performance in predicting VTE at 6 months, highlighting the need for new tools to guide thromboprophylaxis decisions.

Circulating Blood Biomarkers and Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

 Cancer patients have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Currently, the availability of highly discriminatory prediction models for VTE in cancer patients is limited. The implementation of biomarkers in prediction models might lead to refined VTE risk prediction. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate candidate biomarkers and their association with cancer-associated VTE.

METHODS

 We searched Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central for studies that evaluated biomarkers in adult cancer patients from inception to September 2022. We included studies reporting on VTE after a cancer diagnosis with biomarker measurements performed at a defined time point. Median/mean differences (for continuous measures) and odds ratios (for dichotomous measures) with 95% confidence intervals were estimated and pooled using random-effects models.

RESULTS

 We included 113 studies in the systematic review. Of these, 50 studies were included in the meta-analysis. We identified two biomarkers at cancer diagnosis (factor VIII and time to peak thrombin), three biomarkers pre-chemotherapy (D-dimer, fibrinogen, and mean platelet volume), and one biomarker preoperatively (platelet count) that had significant median or mean differences. Additionally, we found that hemoglobin <100 g/L and white blood count >11 × 109/L were significantly associated with future VTE risk only when measured at cancer diagnosis. Pre-chemotherapy neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥3 and preoperative platelet count ≥400 × 109/L were also found to be associated with future VTE risk.

CONCLUSION

 In conclusion, this study identified nine candidate blood biomarkers that may help in optimizing VTE prediction in cancer patients that should be further explored in future studies.

Venous thromboembolism is associated with increased all-cause mortality in ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Venous thromboembolic events (VTE) are often diagnosed in ALK-positive lung cancer although it has not been demonstrated how their co-occurrence affects patients' survival.

METHODS

The study included patients with ALK-positive lung cancer recognized in metastatic stage in the period 2017-2022. All received treatment with ALK inhibitors at The Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology in Warsaw. The main aim of the study was to assess overall survival (OS) in relation to VTE occurrence. The additional purpose was to define predictors of VTE and OS.

RESULTS

The study included 54 patients in median age 60 years, men were a minority (25 / 46.3%). VTE was diagnosed in 12 (22.2%) patients: 9 (16.7%) cases with pulmonary embolism (PE), 2 cases with thrombosis in vena cava superior, one case with deep vein thrombosis and thrombosis in vena cava inferior. Among patients with PE: 2 patients died directly due to the first PE episode and one due to a recurrent PE. Patients with VTE had significantly shorter overall survival (median 11.7 vs. 37.4 months, log-rank test p = 0.003). The risk of all-cause mortality was increased significantly in both: VTE (HR = 3.47; 95%CI: 1.61-7.49; p = 0.0016) or alone PE (HR = 2.41; 95%CI: 1.06-5.50; p = 0.037). The risk of VTE diagnosis was significantly increased during active treatment with crizotinib (HR = 8.72; p = 0.0004) or alectinib (HR = 21.47; p = 0.000002). Metastases to liver and baseline leukocyte count > 11 × 10⁹/L were significant predictors of VTE and OS. Khorana score ≥ 3 points predicted OS (HR = 2,66; 95%CI: 1,05-6,75; p = 0,04), but remained insignificant for VTE.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of any type of VTE or alone PE was associated with significantly worse overall survival in patients with ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer.

Sample size considerations for single-arm clinical trials with time-to-event endpoint using the gamma distribution

Background

Time-to-event (TTE) endpoints are evaluated as the primary endpoint in single-arm clinical trials; however, limited options are available in statistical software for sample size calculation. In single-arm trials with TTE endpoints, the non-parametric log-rank test is commonly used. Parametric options for single-arm design assume survival times follow exponential distribution or Weibull distribution.

Methods

The exponential- or Weibull-distributed survival time assumption does not always reflect hazard pattern of real-life diseases. We therefore propose gamma distribution as an alternative parametric option for designing single-arm studies with TTE endpoints. We outline a sample size calculation approach using gamma distribution with a known shape parameter and explain how to extract the gamma shape estimate from previously published resources. In addition, we conduct simulations to assess the accuracy of the extracted gamma shape parameter and to explore the impact on sample size calculation when survival time distribution is misspecified.

Results

Our simulations show that if a previously published study (sample sizes ≥ 60 and censoring proportions ≤ 20 %) reported median and inter-quartile range of survival time, we can obtain a reasonably accurate gamma shape estimate, and use it to design new studies. When true survival time is Weibull-distributed, sample size calculation could be underestimated or overestimated depending on the hazard shape.

Conclusions

We show how to use gamma distribution in designing a single-arm trial, thereby offering more options beyond the exponential and Weibull. We provide a simulation-based assessment to ensure an accurate estimation of the gamma shape and recommend caution to avoid misspecification of the underlying distribution.

Analysis of thromboembolism and prognosis in metastatic pancreatic cancer from the Tokushukai REAl‑world data project

Cancer-associated thromboembolism (CAT), including venous thromboembolism (VTE) and arterial thromboembolism (ATE), is a frequent complication of advanced pancreatic cancer. However, reports on its incidence and clinical outcomes, especially on ATE, are limited. The present study aimed to investigate the incidence of CAT and its effects on overall survival in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. As part of the Tokushukai REAl-world data project in Japan, 846 eligible patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer treated with first-line chemotherapy were identified between April 2010 and March 2020. Using diagnosis procedure combination data from these patients, the present study investigated the incidence of VTE, ATE and cerebral and gastrointestinal bleeding requiring hospitalization. Blood laboratory data were collected within 14 days of the start of first-line treatment, and Khorana scores were calculated. The associations between CAT complications and comorbidities, concomitant medications and prognosis were examined. Among the 846 patients, 21 (2.5) and 70 (8.3%) had VTE and ATE, respectively (including five with overlapping VTE and ATE). CAT-positive patients had a significantly higher rate of gastrointestinal bleeding events compared with CAT-negative patients [13 of 86 (15.2%) vs. 46 of 760 (6.1%); P=0.01]. CAT-positive patients had a poorer prognosis [hazard ratio (HR), 1.28; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-1.62] compared with CAT-negative patients, even after adjusting for background factors (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.95-1.52). Cox regression analyses showed that higher Khorana scores were associated with significantly worse prognosis. This real-world data demonstrated that the incidence rate of CAT in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer was 10.2%, and no statistically significant differences were observed, although there was a trend toward an adverse prognosis. The Khorana score may also be useful for predicting prognosis, even in the absence of CAT. This study was registered in the UMIN Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm; clinical trial no. UMIN000050590).

Venous thromboembolism in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma: Disease burden and initiation of ambulatory thromboprophylaxis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Ambulatory thromboprophylaxis (AT) in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) reduces venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk and is recommended for patients receiving systemic chemotherapy. We evaluated VTE rates, severity, timing, and risk factors in PAC patients as well as AT rates and initiation times.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with PAC were included. Data collected included patient demographics, medical history, PAC diagnosis, development of VTE, AT, and bleeding episodes. VTE was defined as a DVT or a PE. Patients were classified as receiving AT for VTE prevention if they received a prescription for outpatient anticoagulation.

RESULTS

The cohort included 243 PAC patients. VTE occurred in 24 %. Overall, 52 % developing VTE were hospitalized and 5 % died as a result of the VTE. Of those who developed VTE 50 % were diagnosed within the first 2 months of PAC diagnosis. Univariate predictors of elevated VTE risk included an elevated Onkotev score, metastasis at diagnosis, male gender and not receiving AT. Multivariate predictors of elevated VTE risk included male gender (P = 0.014) and not receiving AT (P = 0.001). Overall, 30 % of patients received AT. The median time from diagnosis to initiation of AT was 43 days. Major bleeding occurred in 5.8 %. Patients receiving AT were not at a significantly increased risk of major bleeding (p = 0.5). Patients with intestinal tumor invasion were at significantly increased risk of major bleeding (P = 0.021).

CONCLUSION

VTE risk is significant and morbid in PAC patients. AT rates are low, and initiation is often delayed. Therapeutic endoscopists diagnosing PAC may be helpful in AT initiation.

Venous thromboembolism incidence and association with overall survival in pancreatic cancer: A Finnish nationwide cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is associated with a high risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTEs). We investigated the incidence of VTE before and after the diagnosis of PC and its association with overall survival.

METHODS

We identified PC patients diagnosed in 2013-2016 from the Finnish Cancer Registry. Data on healthcare visits and death were collected, along with follow-up data through the end of 2020. We compared patients who underwent radical-intent surgery (RIS) to those who underwent palliative treatment (PT) alone.

RESULTS

We identified 4086 PC patients, of whom 343 (8.4%) underwent RIS and 3743 (91.6%) received PT. VTE incidence within 1 year before a PC diagnosis was higher in the PT (4.2%, n = 156) than in the RIS group (0.6%, n = 2; p < 0.001). The cumulative incidence of VTE at 12 and 24 months after a PC diagnosis was 6% (n = 21) and 9% (n = 31), respectively, within the RIS group, and 8% (n = 286) and 8% (n = 304) within the PT group. In the PT group, a VTE within 1 year before a PC diagnosis was independently associated with a worse survival {hazard ratio, HR 1.9 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-2.2]}. In both groups, VTE after a PC diagnosis was associated with a worse survival [RIS group: HR 2.6 (95%CI 1.8-3.7) vs. PT group: HR 2.2 (95%CI 1.9-2.4)].

CONCLUSIONS

A VTE within 1 year before a PC diagnosis more often occurred among PT PC patients than among patients who underwent RIS. VTE might serve as a diagnostic clue to detect PC at an earlier stage.

Microtubule interacting and trafficking domain containing 1 deficiency leads to poor survival via tissue factor-mediated coagulation in bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Patients with cancer are at an increased risk of developing a hypercoagulative phenotype and venous thromboembolism. However, no clinical trial has yet confirmed that anticoagulant therapy improves cancer prognosis, and the mechanism underlying hypercoagulation in patients with bladder cancer is not well understood.

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesized that the prognostic genes affect tumor progression via tumor-mediated coagulation.

METHODS

We detected the most significant prognostic genes of bladder cancer with The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset and validated them in 2 Gene Expression Omnibus datasets and 1 ArrayExpress dataset. Immunohistochemical tests were performed on a cohort of 80 individuals to further examine the prognostic genes. For the most reliable prognostic gene, its influence on coagulation was evaluated with gene knockdown followed by next-generation sequencing and cellular and animal experiments.

RESULTS

Depletion of microtubule interacting and trafficking domain containing 1 (MITD1), a major prognostic gene of bladder cancer, significantly increased the tissue factor (TF) expression. MITD1 deficiency led to cytokinesis arrest, which, in turn, promoted the TF expression via unfolded protein response and c-Jun. The knockdown of IRE1, an essential kinase of unfolded protein response or the inactivation of c-Jun using c-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitors weakened MITD1 deficiency- or dithiothreitol-induced TF upregulation. Cells lacking MITD1 promoted coagulation and metastasis in the experimental metastasis assay.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest the novel role of tumor prognostic genes upon the development of hypercoagulative phenotype and venous thromboembolism, thereby underlining the importance of anticoagulant therapy and shedding light on the therapeutic value of targeting MITD1 in bladder cancer.

Investigation of Pulmonary Saddle Embolism Caused by Metastasis-Induced Hypercoagulability Originating From Pancreatic Cancer

An adult male cadaver, approximately 60 years of age, was dissected as part of an eight-week didactic course. It was found that the subject had evidence of pancreatic cancer with signs of metastasis as well as significant bilateral pulmonary artery clotting. In particular, a saddle embolism was observed, and the cause of death was listed as sudden pulmonary failure. Malignant tumors are often accompanied by hypercoagulable states and increased risk of thromboembolism. Because the clots showed lines of Zahn on histology, we can infer that this hypercoagulable state preceded death and may have been related to the presence of pancreatic carcinoma. There are few recorded cases of pulmonary saddle embolism being the fatal event in cases of underlying pancreatic cancer. The extensive clotting observed in the inferior vena cava and pulmonary arteries demonstrates to clinicians that patients, especially those with pancreatic cancer, are at higher risk for thromboembolic events. This case report also serves as a reminder that instances of pulmonary failure or sudden death because of pulmonary saddle embolism may be caused by underlying visceral neoplasms, such as pancreatic cancer.

Cancer-Associated Thrombosis: Pathophysiology, Laboratory Assessment, and Current Guidelines

Dysregulated hemostasis in cancer patients is associated with various clinical conditions, from thromboembolic complications to disseminated intravascular coagulation. Despite the well-established association between cancer and thromboembolic complications, the mechanisms involved are not completely elucidated. There are several predisposing factors in cancer for increased thrombus generation, such as immobilization and chemotherapy. The term cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) has been introduced to describe the close bidirectional relationship between cancer and thromboembolic events. Conventional coagulation tests (PT/aPTT) are more accurate in detecting a hypocoagulable rather than a hypercoagulable state; thus, their contribution to CAT management is limited. Traditionally, D-dimer levels have been the most common laboratory study for the evaluation of thrombotic risk. However, D-dimer levels only display a snapshot of the coagulation cascade, and they cannot provide a dynamic evaluation of evolving clot formation. Non-conventional assays, such as viscoelastic methods and microparticle formation are promising tools for the identification of patients at risk for developing CAT. Recent guidelines from the American Society of Clinical Oncology counsel against the estimation of thrombotic risk through a single test and recommend the use of scoring systems that take into account several risk factors. The present review outlines the current insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of CAT and provides a comprehensive review of the latest advances in the laboratory assessment of CAT and the recent guidelines for the management of patients at risk for developing thromboembolic complications.

Pancreatic Cancer and Venous Thromboembolism

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounts for more than 90% of all pancreatic cancers and is the most fatal of all cancers. The treatment response from combination chemotherapies is far from satisfactory and surgery remains the mainstay of curative strategies. These challenges warrant identifying effective treatments for combating this deadly cancer. PDAC tumor progression is associated with the robust activation of the coagulation system. Notably, cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) is a significant risk factor in PDAC. CAT is a concept whereby cancer cells promote thromboembolism, primarily venous thromboembolism (VTE). Of all cancer types, PDAC is associated with the highest risk of developing VTE. Hypoxia in a PDAC tumor microenvironment also elevates thrombotic risk. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) are used only as thromboprophylaxis in PDAC. However, a precision medicine approach is recommended to determine the precise dose and duration of thromboprophylaxis in clinical setting.

Cellular Components Contributing to the Development of Venous Thrombosis in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive type of cancer and has a poor prognosis. Patients with PDAC are at high risk of developing thromboembolic events, which is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality following cancer progression. Plasma-derived coagulation is the most studied process in cancer-associated thrombosis. Other blood components, such as platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells, have been gaining less attention. This narrative review addresses the literature on the role of cellular components in the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with PDAC. Blood cells seem to play an important role in the development of VTE. Altered blood cell counts, i.e., leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, and anemia, have been found to associate with VTE risk. Tumor-related activation of leukocytes leads to the release of tissue factor-expressing microvesicles and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps, initiating coagulation and forming a scaffold for thrombi. Tissue factor-expressing microvesicles are also thought to be released by PDAC cells. PDAC cells have been shown to stimulate platelet activation and aggregation, proposedly via the secretion of podoplanin and mucins. Hypofibrinolysis, partially explained by increased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity, is observed in PDAC. In short, PDAC-associated hypercoagulability is a complex and multifactorial process. A better understanding of cellular contributions to hypercoagulability might lead to the improvement of diagnostic tests to identify PDAC patients at highest risk of VTE.

Altered whole blood thrombin generation and hyperresponsive platelets in patients with pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Thromboembolic disease is a major complication in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Patients with PDAC often have altered blood cell counts, which are associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE) development. The high thrombotic risk in patients with PDAC may be partially caused by procoagulant blood cells.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare blood cell-dependent coagulation between patients with PDAC (n = 18) and healthy controls matched for age and sex (n = 18).

METHODS

Thrombin generation (TG) was measured in whole blood (WB) and plasma. The capacity of platelets to release granules (PGRCs) was measured in WB. We explored the occurrence of thromboembolic events in patients with PDAC during a 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Patients showed an increased endogenous thrombin potential in WB compared with controls. This difference was not observed in plasma, indicating a procoagulant effect of blood cells. Both in WB and plasma, the lag time was prolonged in patients compared with controls. Patients had hyperresponsive platelets, with a shorter time to peak granule release. Of the 18 patients with PDAC, 4 developed a venous thromboembolism (22%) and 1 developed an arterial thrombosis (6%). A shorter lag time in WB, but not in plasma, and an increased PGRC were associated with thromboembolic events.

CONCLUSION

Patients with PDAC have an increased and delayed WB TG coagulation profile compared with controls. A shorter lag time in WB TG and increased PGRC are associated with the incidence of thromboembolic events. Platelets appear to be key players in thrombosis development. Measuring hemostasis in WB could improve thrombosis risk estimation in patients with PDAC.

Prognostic value of venous thromboembolism in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the incidence of VTE and the prognosis of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, as there is currently a lack of systematic research on this topic, despite the prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

Databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched until April 9, 2023, to identify studies that explored the relationship between VTE and the prognosis of advanced pancreatic cancer. Duplicate publications, studies without full text or sufficient information for data extraction, animal experiments, reviews, and systematic reviews were excluded. The extracted data were analyzed using STATA 15.1.

RESULTS

The pooled results indicated a significant association between the incidence of VTE and poorer overall survival (HR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.24 - 1.53, p < 0.001) and disease-free survival (HR=2.42, 95% CI: 1.94 - 3.04, p < 0.001) among patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Additionally, early VTE showed a significant impact on overall survival (HR=2.03, 95% CI: 1.33 - 3.12, p = 0.001), whereas late VTE did not demonstrate a significant association with poor overall survival (HR=1.22, 95% CI: 0.96 - 1.54, p = 0.099).

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that advanced pancreatic cancer patients with VTE had poorer overall and disease-free survival than those without. Meanwhile, the patients with early VTE had a significantly poorer prognosis, whereas late VTE did not. The findings highlight the importance of timely detection of VTE for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer patients and offer a partial theoretical basis for future clinical endeavors.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023427043, identifier CRD42023427043.

Prescribing pattern of anticoagulants in patients with cancer associated thrombosis: Results of a survey among MITO group and AIOM society

INTRODUCTION

Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) has been the backbone of the treatment of cancer associated thrombosis (CAT). Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have shown efficacy and safety not inferior to LMWH and guidelines included DOACs as an option for CAT treatment. Nevertheless, DOACs are still poorly prescribed in patients with cancer. The aim of this survey was to better understand prescription patterns of anticoagulants, in particular of DOACs, especially in gynecological cancers (GCs).

METHODS

Our survey was made up of 21 questions, the last four questions addressed to medical doctors (MDs) involved in GCs. An invitation to complete the survey was sent by e-mail to 691 MITO (Multicentre Italian Trials in Ovarian cancer and gynaecologic malignancies) and 2093 AIOM (Associazione Italiana di Oncologia Medica) members.

RESULTS

Overall, 113 MDs completed the questionnaire, 69 involved in GCs. Most respondents (46, 41%) were aged 30-40 years old, worked in public hospitals (59, 52.2%), were medical oncologists (86, 76.1%). LMWH was the preferred choice for the treatment of CAT (104, 92%). However, 89 respondents (78.8%) prescribed or asked to prescribe a DOAC for CAT. The major concern about DOACs was the difficulty in verifying the therapeutic effect and the absence of antidotes in case of bleeding (37.9%). In patients with GCs, DOACs were used with niraparib, olaparib, rucaparib and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in less than 10 patients by 23%, 20%, 9% and 10.2% of respondents, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The responders are aware of the Direct-acting oral anticoagulants option and would like to use them.

Venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing distal cholangiocarcinoma surgery: Prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes

BACKGROUND

To investigate venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA) surgery, we performed a single-center study to assess its prevalence, risk factors, prognosis.

METHOD

We studied a total of 177 patients undergoing dCCA surgery from January 2017 to April 2022. Demographic, clinical data, laboratory data (including lower extremity ultrasound findings), and outcome variables were obtained, and compared between VTE and non-VTE groups.

RESULTS

Of the 177 patients undergoing dCCA surgery (aged 65.2 ± 9.6 years; 108 (61.0%) male), 64 patients developed VTE after surgery. Logistic multivariate analysis showed that, age, operation procedure, TNM stage, ventilator duration and preoperative D-dimer were independent risk factors. Based on these factors, we constructed the nomogram to predict VTE after dCCA for the first time. The areas under the receiver operating curve (ROC) of the nomogram were 0.80 (95% CI: 0.72-0.88) and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.73-0.89) in the training and validation groups, respectively. Patients developed VTE had a worse prognosis by Kaplan-Meier curve analysis (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of VTE is high and is associated with adverse outcomes in patients undergoing dCCA surgery. We developed a nomogram assessing VTE risk, which may help clinicians to screen out people at high risk for VTE and to undertake rational preventive measures.

Venous Thromboembolism and Primary Thromboprophylaxis in Perioperative Pancreatic Cancer Care

Recent studies have shown that patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) treated with neoadjuvant chemo(radio)therapy followed by surgery have an improved outcome compared to patients treated with upfront surgery. Hence, patients with PDAC are more and more frequently treated with chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting. PDAC patients are at a high risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), which is associated with decreased survival rates. As patients with PDAC were historically offered immediate surgical resection, data on VTE incidence and associated preoperative risk factors are scarce. Current guidelines recommend primary prophylactic anticoagulation in selected groups of patients with advanced PDAC. However, recommendations for patients with (borderline) resectable PDAC treated with chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting are lacking. Nevertheless, the prevention of complications is crucial to maintain the best possible condition for surgery. This narrative review summarizes current literature on VTE incidence, associated risk factors, risk assessment tools, and primary thromboprophylaxis in PDAC patients treated with neoadjuvant chemo(radio)therapy.

Incidence, risk factors, and evolution of venous thromboembolic events in patients diagnosed with pancreatic carcinoma and treated with chemotherapy on an outpatient basis

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic carcinoma is one of the tumors associated with a higher risk for thromboembolic events, with incidence rates ranging from 5% to 41% in previous retrospective series.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study in eleven Spanish hospitals that included 666 patients diagnosed with pancreatic carcinoma (any stage) between 2008 and 2011 and treated with chemotherapy. The main objective was to evaluate the incidence of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in this population, as well as potential risk factors for thrombosis. The impact of VTE on mortality was also assessed.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 9.3 months, the incidence of VTE was 22.1%; 52% were diagnosed incidentally. Our study was unable to confirm the ability of the Khorana score to discriminate between patients in the intermediate or high risk category for thrombosis. The presence of VTE proved to be an independent prognostic factor associated with increased risk of death (HR 2.39, 95% CI 1.96-2.92). Symptomatic events correlated with higher mortality than asymptomatic events (HR 1.72; 95% CI, 1.21-2.45; p = 0.002), but incidental VTE, including visceral vein thrombosis (VVT), negatively affected survival compared to patients without VTE. Subjects who developed VTE within the first 3 months of diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma had lower survival rates than those with VTE after 3 months (HR 1.92, 95% CI 1.30-2.84; p&lt;0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Pancreatic carcinoma is associated with a high incidence of VTE, which, when present, correlates with worse survival, even when thrombosis is incidental. Early onset VTE has a particularly negative impact.

Incidence and Determinants of Chemotherapy Associated Thromboembolic Events among Ethiopian Patients Treated for Solid Malignancy: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Venous thromboembolism is a common problem in patients treated for cancer, although the reported incidence varies widely between studies. This was the first study in its kind in Ethiopia and aimed to assess the incidence and determinants of chemotherapy associated thromboembolic events among patients treated for solid malignancy. An institution-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st March to 1st June, 2019 at adult oncology center of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. Systematic random sampling technique was employed to recruit 423 study participants. Patients who have received at least a single cycle of any chemotherapy regimen were included in the study. Khorana risk assessment tool was used to predict chemotherapy associated thrombosis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data while multivariable logistic regression was employed to explore associations among variables of interest. The median age of study participants was 43 years, which ranged from 14 to 83 years. Majority of the study participants were treated for breast cancer. Thromboembolic events encountered in 43(10.2%) of patients, from which the commonest one being deep venous thrombosis 36 (85.7%), followed by myocardial infarction 5(11.9%). In multivariable logistic regression, blood transfusion, a primary site of cancer with gastrointestinal malignancy and performance status showed statistically significant association towards the occurrences of thromboembolic events. The incidence of chemotherapy associated thromboembolic events among patients treated for solid malignancy was comparable to other studies. Hence, other prospective randomized trials are needed to see the importance of thrombo-prophylaxis in such high-risk patients.

Patterns of Thromboembolism in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Undergoing First-Line Chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX or Gemcitabine/nab-Paclitaxel

INTRODUCTION

Recent advances in prophylactic anticoagulation and antineoplastic treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer (aPC) warrant an updated reassessment of thromboembolic risk in this population. This multicenter retrospective cohort study aims to comprehensively characterize incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of venous (VTE) and arterial thromboembolism (ATE) in homogenously treated patients with aPC.

METHODS

Four hundred and fifty-five patients with aPC undergoing palliative first-line chemotherapy (Gemcitabine/nab-Paclitaxel (GN) or FOLIRINOX) were included. Primary outcomes were objectively confirmed VTE and/or ATE.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up of 26 months, 86 VTE (cumulative incidence: 20.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 16.3-24.0) and 11 ATE events (cumulative incidence: 2.8%; 95% CI: 1.5-4.9) were observed. VTE diagnosis was associated with increased mortality (transition hazard ratio [THR]: 1.59 [95% CI: 1.21-2.09]) and increased risk of cancer progression (THR: 1.47 [95% CI: 1.08-2.01]), while the impact of ATE on mortality was numerically but not statistically significant (THR: 1.85 [95% CI: 0.87-3.94]). The strongest predictor of increased VTE risk was history of cancer-associated VTE (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR]: 3.29 [95% CI: 2.09-5.18]), while the Khorana score (SHR: 0.78 [0.57-1.06]) failed to predict VTE risk. A history of cerebrovascular disease was associated with markedly increased ATE risk (SHR: 22.05 [95% CI: 6.83-71.22], p < 0.001), especially ischemic stroke. Risk of VTE/ATE did not significantly differ according to type of first-line chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Patients with aPC undergoing palliative first-line chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX or GN face a high risk for VTE/ATE and its diagnosis is linked to worse clinical outcomes. VTE-risk prediction models have limited ability to sub-stratify thrombotic events in this high-risk scenario.

Early detection of venous thromboembolism after the initiation of chemotherapy predicts a poor prognosis in patients with unresectable metastatic pancreatic cancer who underwent first-line chemotherapy with gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cancer is associated with a high thromboembolism risk. We investigated the significance of early venous thromboembolism (VTE) detection in patients with unresectable metastatic pancreatic cancer (UR-MPC) who received first-line chemotherapy with gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP).

METHODS

This single-center retrospective study enrolled 174 patients with UR-MPC who underwent GnP as a first-line chemotherapy from April 2017 to March 2020. The early detection of VTE (deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism) was defined as diagnosis by the first follow-up CT scan after the initiation of chemotherapy. We compared the patients with early detection of VTE (VTE (+) group) with the others (VTE (-) group). We examined overall survival (OS), progress free survival (PFS), severe adverse events, and predictors associated with OS using the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

Early detection of VTE was observed in 17 patients (9.8%). Thirteen patients were diagnosed with VTE at treatment initiation, and four patients were diagnosed after treatment initiation. The median time to diagnosis after treatment initiation was 55 days (range: 31-71 days). Only 3 patients were symptomatic. The VTE (+) group exhibited worse OS and PFS than the VTE (-) group (OS: 259 days vs. 400 days, P < 0.001; PFS: 120 days vs. 162 days, P = 0.008). The frequency of grade 3-4 adverse events was not significantly different. Although the performance status was poorer in the VTE (+) group, VTE was identified as a statistically significant independent predictor for OS in multivariate analyses (HR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.02-3.44; P = 0.041).

CONCLUSIONS

Early VTE detection is a predictor of a poor prognosis in UR-MPC patients who receive GnP as first-line chemotherapy, suggesting that screening VTE for patients with UR-MPC is crucial, even if patients are asymptomatic.

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps, Angiogenesis and Cancer

Human neutrophils, the most abundant circulating leukocytes, are fundamental components of the host response against different pathogens. Until a few years ago, neutrophils received limited attention in cancer immunology. Recently, it was discovered that both circulating, and tumor-associated, neutrophils possess functional plasticity when exposed to various inflammatory stimuli and in the tumor microenvironment. Neutrophils and their mediators can exert several pro-tumor activities in cancer and promote metastasis through different mechanisms. Angiogenesis plays a pivotal role in inflammation and tumor growth. Activated human neutrophils release several angiogenic factors [vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), angiopoietin-1 (ANGPT1), CXCL8, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9)] and form neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs promote tumor growth and metastasis formation through several mechanisms: they can awake dormant cancer cells, capture circulating tumor cells, coat and shield cancer cells, thus preventing CD8⁺- and natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity. ANGPTs released by endothelial and periendothelial mural cells induce platelet-activating factor (PAF) synthesis and neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells. NETs can directly exert several proangiogenic activities in human endothelial cells and NETs induced by ANGPTs and PAF increase several aspects of angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. A better understanding of the pathophysiological functions of NETs in cancer and angiogenesis could be of importance in the early diagnosis, prevention and treatment of tumors.

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Digestive Cancers: Warrior or Accomplice

Characterized as a complex of extracellular DNA fibers and granule proteins, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are generated specifically by neutrophils which play a critical role in host defense and immune regulation. NETs have been initially found crucial for neutrophil anti-microbial function. Recent studies suggest that NETs are involved in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. However, the function of NETs in cancer remains unclear, which might be due to the variation of research models and the heterogeneity of cancers. Although most of malignant tumors have similar biological behaviors, significant differences indeed exist in various systems. Malignant tumors of the digestive system cause the most incidence and mortality of cancer worldwide. In this review, we would focus on research developments on NETs in digestive cancers to provide insights on their role in digestive cancer progression and future research directions.

Value of the fibrinogen-platelet ratio in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer

Background : Several prognostic factors were reported in pancreatic cancer. The fibrinogen-platelet ratio (FPR) was reported as a prognostic factor of resectable gastric cancer. In this report, the FPR was evaluated in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. Methods : Between 2004 and 2019, 163 patients with curative resection for pancreatic cancer were enrolled. Cases of non-curative resection were excluded. The FPR was calculated using the preoperative plasma fibrinogen and the platelet counts and the cut-off value was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The patients were divided into high and low FPR groups according to this cut-off value. Results : The cut-off value of FPR was 25.2. Among age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and surgical factors including surgery type, volume of blood loss and surgery time, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Patients in the low FPR group had significantly better overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) compared with the high FPR group (P < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, a high FPR, CA19-9 > 300 U / ml, and receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy were independent risk factors for OS and DFS. Conclusions : The FPR might be a prognostic factor for patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. J. Med. Invest. 68 : 342-346, August, 2021.

Incidence, timing and risk factors of venous thromboembolic events in patients with pancreatic cancer

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic cancer is associated with a high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, comprehensive data on incidence, timing and relevant determinants of VTE in this particular population are scarce. Current study assesses incidence, timing and predictors of VTE in pancreatic cancer through different phases of disease.

METHODS

All pancreatic cancer patients treated in our tertiary referral center between 2013 through 2017 were studied. Occurrence of VTE was evaluated from diagnosis through end of follow-up or death. Relevant determinants of VTE were identified in logistic regression models. Hazard ratios were calculated to evaluate impact of VTE on overall survival.

RESULTS

In total, 361 patients were followed for a median period of 43 months; 64 were diagnosed with VTE (18%). Most were tumor related thrombosis (59%), incidental (75%) and occurred after anti-cancer treatment had been stopped (80%), only 1.6% occurred during remission phase. Stage IV pancreatic cancer was a predictor for VTE (hazard ratio (HR) 2.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9-6.8). Biliary drainage (HR 0.52, 95%CI 0.28-0.98) and tumor resection (HR 0.45, 95%CI 0.45-1.83) were protective factors. VTE was not associated with worse survival (HR 1.3; 95% CI 0.97-1.74).

CONCLUSIONS

VTE in pancreatic cancer is disease-stage dependent, with 80% occurring in advanced phases of disease when patients no longer receive active treatment. We speculate that this is the main reason for the absence of a survival effect of VTE in our cohort. These practice-based findings should be taken into account when considering wide-spread introduction of primary thromboprophylaxis in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Hemostatic Biomarkers and Venous Thromboembolism Are Associated With Mortality and Response to Chemotherapy in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer

[Figure: see text].

Neutrophil extracellular traps in cancer

Beyond their well-known functions in the acute phases of the immune response, neutrophils play important roles in the various phases of tumor initiation and progression, through the release of their stored or newly synthesized mediators. In addition to reactive oxygen species, cytokines, chemokines, granule proteins and lipid mediators, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) can also be released upon neutrophil activation. NET formation can be achieved through a cell-death process or in association with the release of mitochondrial DNA from viable neutrophils. NETs are described as extracellular fibers of DNA and decorating proteins responsible for trapping and killing extracellular pathogens, playing a protective role in the antimicrobial defense. There is increasing evidence, however, that NETs play multiple roles in the scenario of cancer-related inflammation. For instance, NETs directly or indirectly promote tumor growth and progression, fostering tumor spread at distant sites and shielding cancer cells thus preventing the effects of cytotoxic lymphocytes. NETs can also promote tumor angiogenesis and cancer-associated thrombosis. On the other hand, there is some evidence that NETs may play anti-inflammatory and anti-tumorigenic roles. In this review, we focus on the main mechanisms underlying the emerging effects of NETs in cancer initiation and progression.

The Impact of Thromboprophylaxis on the Survival of Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer. The Pancreatic Cancer and Tinzaparin (PaCT) Study

Simple Summary

Pancreatic cancer (PaC) induces a prothrombotic and hypercoagulable state. Thrombosis occurs in 20% of PaC patients and is associated with worse prognosis and reduced progression-free survival (PFS). The aim of this retrospective observational study (PaCT) was to investigate the effect of thromboprophylaxis with an intermediate dose of tinzaparin on the PFS of patients treated with nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine. Data obtained from 110 patients with active PaC administered prophylaxis with tinzaparin during the study resulted in median PFS of 7.9 months; data for the PFS of patients without simultaneous anticoagulation were obtained bibliographically from 14 studies, and after applying meta-analysis was 5.6 months. Patients receiving anticoagulation with tinzaparin had 39.5% higher PFS than patients without such thromboprophylaxis (p < 0.05). During follow-up, three (2.7%) thrombotic events and two (1.9%) clinically relevant non-major bleeding events occurred. Concluding, PFS in advanced PaC patients undergoing chemotherapy was positively impacted by thromboprophylaxis with intermediate dose tinzaparin.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer (PaC) induces a prothrombotic and hypercoagulable state. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of tinzaparin in combination with chemotherapy. The PaCT (pancreatic cancer and tinzaparin) study was a retrospective observational study that collected data regarding progression free survival (PFS) in advanced or metastatic PaC patients who received thromboprophylaxis with tinzaparin during chemotherapy with nab-paclitaxel (N) and gemcitabine (G). The primary end point was to compare, from already published data, the PFS of patients receiving thromboprophylaxis with tinzaparin with the PFS of patients receiving chemotherapy with N–G but no thromboprophylaxis. Secondary end points were efficacy and safety of anticoagulation. In total, 110 PaC patients, 93% with advanced or metastatic disease, treated with N–G and tinzaparin (10,291 ± 1176 Anti-Xa IU, OD, median duration 8.7, IQR: 5.6–11.9 months) were enrolled. Of these, 52% were males and; the median age was 68 (40–86 years). The tumor was located to in the pancreatic head at in 45% of the patients. The median PFS was 7.9 months (IQR: 5.0–11.8 months). Out of 14 similar studies (involving 2994 patients) identified via systematic search, it was determined that the weighted PFS of patients receiving N–G but no anticoagulation was 5.6 months. Therefore, patients receiving tinzaparin had 39.54% higher PFS than patients without thromboprophylaxis (p < 0.05). During the follow-up period of 18.3 ± 11.7 months, three (2.7%) thrombotic events were recorded while two clinically relevant non-major bleeding events occurred (1.9%). In conclusion, PFS in advanced PaC patients undergoing chemotherapy is positively impacted by anticoagulation. Thromboprophylaxis with tinzaparin in treatment dose is efficient and safe.

Burden of venous thromboembolism in patients with pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a devastating malignancy with fewer than 10% of patients being alive at 5 years after diagnosis. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) occurs in approximatively 20% of patients with PC, resulting in increased morbidity, mortality and significant health care costs. The management of VTE is particularly challenging in these frail patients. Adequate selection of the most appropriate anticoagulant for each individual patient according to the current international guidelines is warranted for overcoming treatment challenges. The International Initiative on Thrombosis and Cancer multi-language web-based mobile application (downloadable for free at www.itaccme.com) has been developed to help clinicians in decision making in the most complex situations. In this narrative review, we will discuss the contemporary epidemiology and burden of VTE in PC patients, the performances and limitations of current risk assessment models to predict the risk of VTE, as well as evidence from recent clinical trials for the primary prophylaxis and treatment of cancer-associated VTE that support up-dated clinical practice guidelines.

Early venous thromboembolism is a strong prognostic factor in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

There are still controversial data regarding the prognostic value of Venous ThromboEmbolism (VTE) in advanced Pancreatic Ductal AdenoCarcinoma (PDAC) and thromboprophylaxis is poorly prescribed despite international recommendations.

METHODS

Medical charts of patients consecutively treated for advanced PDAC from 2010 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. Prognostic Factors were identified using a multivariate Cox's proportional hazard model. Early VTE was defined as VTE occurring within the three months following the PDAC diagnosis.

RESULTS

A total of 174 patients were included (median age: 67 years; males: 55.2%; performance status (PS) 0-1: 88.5%) with metastatic disease in 74.7%. At baseline, Khorana score was high (≥ 3) in the vast majority of cases (93.7%). The cumulative incidences of VTE were 12.4% (95% CI 7.3-17.2) at 3 months, 20.4% (95% CI 13.9-26.4) at 6 months and 28.1% (95% CI 20.0-35.3) at 12 months. Patients who experienced early VTE had shorter PFS (3.8 months vs. 7.1 months; HR = 2.02; 95% CI 1.21-3.37; p = 0.006) and shorter OS (8.0 months vs. 14.1 months; HR = 2.42; 95% CI 1.37-4.30; p = 0.002) compared to the others, independently of prognostic factors such as PS, liver metastases, carcinomatosis, and chemotherapy regimen.

CONCLUSION

early VTE is a strong prognostic factor in advanced PDAC and occurs in about one in 10 patients.

Prognostic impact and risk factors of cancer-associated thrombosis events in stage-IV cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) is a major cause of mortality in cancer patients. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been associated with multiple side effects including CAT. The aim of this study is to investigate risk factors and prognostic impact associated with CAT events during ICIs treatment.

METHODS

This is a multi-center retrospective study that included stage IV cancer patients treated with ICIs.

RESULTS

We identified 552 cancer patients treated with ICIs. During follow-up time, 58 (10.5%) patients developed 67 venous thromboembolism (VTE) events while on ICIs. Anticoagulation use at the time of ICIs treatment start was associated with significantly higher VTE incidence rate (IRR: 2.23). No significant difference in VTE IRR was observed depending on response to ICIs treatment, aspirin use, or Khorana VTE risk score. Melanoma as primary cancer, Khorana score, ECOG status, and anemia at baseline were able to predict mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of CAT in stage-IV cancer patients treated with ICIs was higher in our study compared to previous reports. Control group of patients who did not receive ICIs is needed for better identification of CAT risk factors. Khorana score was a good predictor of mortality but not CAT risk and needs to be further validated in a homogenous group of patients.

Comparison of Different Clinical Prognostic Scores in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism and Active Cancer

OBJECTIVE

 This article aimed to validate and compare the prognostic performance of generic scores (Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index [PESI] and Hestia) and cancer-specific pulmonary embolism (PE)/venous thromboembolism (VTE) scales (Registro Informatizado de la Enfermedad TromboEmbólica [RIETE], POMPE-C, and modified Ottawa) in PE patients with active cancer.

METHODS

 A retrospective study was conducted among 460 patients with PE and active cancer. The primary outcome was 30-day overall mortality. Secondary outcomes were 30-day PE-related death and overall adverse outcomes. The prognostic accuracy of clinical scores was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

RESULTS

 Within 30 days, 18.0% of patients died, 2.0% suffered major bleeding, and 0.2% presented recurrence of VTE. All scales showed a high area under the ROC curve (AUC) for predicting 30-day overall mortality except modified Ottawa (0.74 [0.70-0.78] for PESI, Hestia, and RIETE; 0.78 (0.74-0.81) for POMPE-C; 0.64 (0.59-0.68) for modified Ottawa]. PESI divided the least patients (9.1%) into low risk, followed by modified Ottawa (17.0%). Hestia stratified the most patients (65.4%) as low risk. But overall mortality of low-risk patients based on these three scales is high (>5%). RIETE and POMPE-C both classified 30.9% of patients as low risk, and low-risk patients stratified by these two scales presented a low overall mortality (1.4 and 3.5%). Similar predictive performance was found for 30-day PE-related death and overall adverse outcomes in these scores.

CONCLUSION

 Cancer-specific PE prognostic scores (RIETE and POMPE-C) performed better than generic scales (PESI and Hestia) and a cancer-specific VTE prognostic scale (modified Ottawa) in identifying low-risk PE patients with active cancer who may be suitable for outpatient treatment.

Venous Thromboembolism in Japanese Patients With Pancreatic Cancer

OBJECTIVE

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Japan. Previous studies from other countries have reported venous thromboembolism prevalence rates of 12 to 36% in patients with pancreatic cancer. In this study, we aimed to determine the incidence of VTE in patients with PDAC in Japan and compare the characteristics of patients with and without VTE.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, clinicopathological characteristics of patients with and without concomitant VTE were compared.

PATIENTS

Patients with PDAC treated at Fukui Prefectural Hospital, Japan from 2010 to 2019.

RESULTS

The 1-year survival rate of all patients with pancreatic cancer was 40.7%. Among 432 patients with PDAC, 31 developed VTE. Seventeen (55%) patients received anticoagulant therapy. Compared with the non-VTE group, the VTE group had significantly more patients whose body mass index was >25 kg/m² (p = .035) and had a significantly higher rate of chemotherapy (p = .024). There was no significant difference in median survival time from PDAC diagnosis between the VTE and non-VTE groups. The 6-month mortality rate after VTE diagnosis was 54.8%. PDAC-related death was the most frequent cause of death, and thrombus-related death was not observed.

CONCLUSION

Several baseline characteristics differed between patients with and without VTE. The incidence of VTE in patients with PDAC is high. However, because the prognosis of PDAC itself remains quite poor, VTE may not have a significant effect on prognosis.

Omics Analysis of Educated Platelets in Cancer and Benign Disease of the Pancreas

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is traditionally associated with thrombocytosis/hypercoagulation and novel insights on platelet-PDAC "dangerous liaisons" are warranted. Here we performed an integrative omics study investigating the biological processes of mRNAs and expressed miRNAs, as well as proteins in PDAC blood platelets, using benign disease as a reference for inflammatory noise. Gene ontology mining revealed enrichment of RNA splicing, mRNA processing and translation initiation in miRNAs and proteins but depletion in RNA transcripts. Remarkably, correlation analyses revealed a negative regulation on SPARC transcription by isomiRs involved in cancer signaling, suggesting a specific "education" in PDAC platelets. Platelets of benign patients were enriched for non-templated additions of G nucleotides (#ntaG) miRNAs, while PDAC presented length variation on 3' (lv3p) as the most frequent modification on miRNAs. Additionally, we provided an actionable repertoire of PDAC and benign platelet-ome to be exploited for future studies. In conclusion, our data show that platelets change their biological repertoire in patients with PDAC, through dysregulation of miRNAs and splicing factors, supporting the presence of de novo protein machinery that can "educate" the platelet. These novel findings could be further exploited for innovative liquid biopsies platforms as well as possible therapeutic targets.

Engineering of biomaterials for tumor modeling

Development of biomaterials mimicking tumor and its microenvironment has recently emerged for the use of drug discovery, precision medicine, and cancer biology. These biomimetic models have developed by reconstituting tumor and stroma cells within the 3D extracellular matrix. The models are recently extended to recapitulate the in vivo tumor microenvironment, including biological, chemical, and mechanical conditions tailored for specific cancer type and its microenvironment. In spite of the recent emergence of various innovative engineered tumor models, many of these models are still early stage to be adapted for cancer research. In this article, we review the current status of biomaterials engineering for tumor models considering three main aspects - cellular engineering, matrix engineering, and engineering for microenvironmental conditions. Considering cancer-specific variability in these aspects, our discussion is focused on pancreatic cancer, specifically pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In addition, we further discussed the current challenges and future opportunities to create reliable and relevant tumor models.

Incidence of venous thromboembolic events in cancer patients receiving immunotherapy: a single-institution experience

BACKGROUND

Cancer and cancer therapies have been associated with an increased incidence of venous thromboembolic events (VTE). However, the incidence of VTE in patients on immunotherapy has not been well characterized. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of VTE in cancer patients receiving immunotherapy and ascertain its prognostic utility.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a single-institution retrospective study, including all cancer patients treated with anti-Programmed cell Death 1 (PD-1), anti-Programmed cell Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1), anti-Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-Associated Protein 4 (CTLA4), a combination of anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 and anti-CTLA4 or a combination including any of these drugs with chemotherapy, antiangiogenic agents or both between June 2013 and April 2019 at La Paz University Hospital, Madrid (Spain).

RESULTS

We selected 229 patients. VTE occurred in 16 of 229 patients (7%). VTE occurred more frequently in patients with lung cancer followed by melanoma. Female sex and melanoma were independently associated with an increased risk of VTE. 12 of 16 VTE (75%) were symptomatic. Progressive disease to immunotherapy [HR 31.60 (95% CI 11.44-87.22), p = 0.00], lung cancer [HR 2.55 (95% CI 1.34-4.86), p = 0.00] and melanoma [HR 2.42 (1.20-4.86), p = 0.01] were independently associated with shorter OS. VTE occurrence was not independently associated with shorter OS [HR 1.33 (95% CI 0.63-2.80), p = 0.44].

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of VTE in cancer patients receiving immunotherapy in our study appeared to be similar to the incidence previously reported in other series of cancer patients treated with systemic therapies. VTE occurrence did not correlate with the prognosis. Further and prospective studies are needed to derive definitive conclusions.

Primary Thromboprophylaxis in Ambulatory Pancreatic Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) carry the highest risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) amongst all cancer patients. Appropriate use of primary thromboprophylaxis might significantly and safely reduce its burden. We performed a systematic review of published studies and meeting abstracts using MEDLINE and EMBASE through July 2020 to evaluate the efficacy and safety of primary thromboprophylaxis in ambulatory PC patients receiving chemotherapy. The Mantel–Haenszel random effect model was used to estimate the pooled event-based risk ratio (RR) and the pooled absolute risk difference (RD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Five randomized controlled studies with 1003 PC patients were included in this meta-analysis. Compared to placebo, thromboprophylaxis significantly decreased the risk of VTE (pooled RR 0.31, 95% CI 0.19–0.51, p < 0.00001, I² = 8%; absolute RD −0.08, 95% CI −0.12–−0.05, p < 0.00001, I² = 0%), with an estimated number needed to treat of 11.9 patients to prevent one VTE event. Similar reductions of VTE were observed in studies with parenteral (RR 0.30, 95% CI 0.17–0.53) versus oral anticoagulants (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.14–0.99) and in studies using prophylactic doses of anticoagulants (RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.17–0.70) versus supra-prophylactic doses of anticoagulants (RR 0.27, 95% CI 0.08–0.90). The pooled RR for major bleeding was 1.08 (95% CI 0.47–2.52, p = 0.85, I² = 0%) and the absolute RD was 0.00 (95% CI −0.02–0.03, p = 0.85, I² = 0%). Evidence supports a net clinical benefit of thromboprophylaxis in ambulatory PC patients receiving chemotherapy. Adequately powered randomized phase III studies assessing the most effective anticoagulant and the optimal dose, schedule and duration of thromboprophylaxis to be used are warranted.

Real-World Data on Thromboprophylaxis in Active Cancer Patients: Where Are We? Are We Getting There?

Background: Cancer patients are at high risk for cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT). CAT is the second leading cause of death in these patients but it can be preventable with thromboprophylaxis. Patients and Methods: An observational, prospective, multicenter study aiming to record CAT management in clinical practice was conducted by the Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology (HeSMO). Results: A total of 426 active cancer patients (mean age 65.3 years, mean BMI: 26.1 kg/m²) who received thromboprophylaxis, were included from 18 oncology units. Tumor types were lung 25.1%, pancreas 13.9%, breast 8.7%, stomach 8.5%, ovarian 7.8%, and others 36%, while 69% had metastases. A total of 71% had a Khorana score ≤2 and 61% received High Thrombotic Risk Chemotherapy Agents (HTRCAs, e.g., platinum). For thromboprophylaxis patients received mainly Low Molecular Weight Heparins (LMWHs), on higher than prophylactic doses in 50% of cases. Overall, 16 (3.8%) thrombotic events and 6 (1.4%) bleeding events were recorded. Notably, patients on higher doses of LMWHs compared to patients who received standard prophylactic doses had 70% lower odds to develop thrombotic events (OR: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.10–1.0, p = 0.04). Conclusion: CAT is an important issue in oncology. Along with the Khorana score, factors as metastases and use of HTRCAs should also be taken into consideration. Thromboprophylaxis for active cancer patients with LMWHs, even on higher doses is safe and efficient.

Incidence of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Pancreatic Cancer and Factors Associated With Outcomes

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with the highest incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) of any cancer type. However, little is known about risk factors for VTE or its outcomes in patients with PDAC.

METHODS

We collected data from a prospective, observational study performed at multiple centers in France from May 2014 through November 2018 (the Base Clinico-Biologique de l'Adénocarcinome Pancréatique [BACAP] study) linked to a database of patients with a new diagnosis of PDAC of any stage. Data were collected from 731 patients at baseline and during clinical follow-up or in the event of symptoms. The primary endpoint was the onset of VTE during follow-up. The secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) times.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 19.3 months, 152 patients (20.79%) developed a VTE. The median time from PDAC diagnosis to the onset of VTE was 4.49 months. Cumulative incidence values of VTE were 8.07% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.31-10.29) at 3 months and 19.21% (95% CI, 16.27-22.62) at 12 months. In multivariate analysis, PDAC primary tumor location (isthmus vs head: hazard ratio [HR], 2.06; 95% CI, 1.09-3.91; P = .027) and stage (locally advanced vs resectable or borderline: HR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.10-2.51, P = .016; metastatic vs resectable or borderline: HR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.64-3.79; P < .001) were independent risk factors for the onset of VTE. Patients who developed VTE during follow-up had shorter times of PFS (HR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.19-2.54; P = .004) and OS (HR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.57-2.60; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

In an analysis of data from the BACAP study, we found that frequent and early onsets of VTE after diagnoses of PDAC are associated with significant decreases in times of PFS and OS. Studies are needed to determine whether primary prophylaxis of VTE in patients with PDAC will improve morbidity and mortality related to VTE. (ClinicalTrials.gov, Number: clinicaltrials.gov as number NCT02818829).

Primary Thromboprophylaxis in Pancreatic Cancer Patients: Why Clinical Practice Guidelines Should Be Implemented

Exocrine pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, simply referred to as pancreatic cancer (PC) has the worst prognosis of any malignancy. Despite recent advances in the use of adjuvant chemotherapy in PC, the prognosis remains poor, with fewer than 8% of patients being alive at 5 years after diagnosis. The prevalence of PC has steadily increased over the past decades, and it is projected to become the second-leading cause of cancer-related death by 2030. In this context, optimizing and integrating supportive care is important to improve quality of life and survival. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common but preventable complication in PC patients. VTE occurs in one out of five PC patients and is associated with significantly reduced progression-free survival and overall survival. The appropriate use of primary thromboprophylaxis can drastically and safely reduce the rates of VTE in PC patients as shown from subgroup analysis of non-PC targeted placebo-controlled randomized trials of cancer patients and from two dedicated controlled randomized trials in locally advanced PC patients receiving chemotherapy. Therefore, primary thromboprophylaxis with a Grade 1B evidence level is recommended in locally advanced PC patients receiving chemotherapy by the International Initiative on Cancer and Thrombosis clinical practice guidelines since 2013. However, its use and potential significant clinical benefit continues to be underrecognized worldwide. This narrative review aims to summarize the main recent advances in the field including on the use of individualized risk assessment models to stratify the risk of VTE in each patient with individual available treatment options.

ONKOTEV Score as a Predictive Tool for Thromboembolic Events in Pancreatic Cancer-A Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent complication in patients with cancer and causes considerable morbidity and mortality. The risk of VTE is higher in patients with pancreatic cancer and is often associated with treatment delays or interruptions. Recently, the ONKOTEV score was proposed as a VTE risk predictor model for patients with cancer, but its validation is still ongoing.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study to determine the incidence of VTE and to evaluate the ONKOTEV score as a VTE predictive tool in a population of patients with pancreatic cancer.

RESULTS

Between February 2012 and May 2017, 165 patients were included in the study. The median age was 73 years, 45.5% of patients were female, and 55.8% had stage IV disease. Fifty-one patients had a VTE (30.9%); 23.5% had pulmonary embolism, 25.5% had deep venous thrombosis, and 51.0% had visceral VTE (VsT). At a median follow-up time of 6.3 months, cumulative incidence of VTE was less than 10% for ONKOTEV scores 0 or 1 and approximately 40% and 70% for scores 2 and ≥3, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The high VTE incidence observed in this study is consistent with prior reports. Patients at high risk for VTE with no increase in hemorrhagic risk should be considered for primary thromboprophylaxis. The ONKOTEV score may stratify VTE risk in patients with pancreatic cancer, with ONKOTEV score ≥2 being associated with a higher VTE occurrence.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent complication of patients with pancreatic cancer and causes considerable morbidity, treatment delays or interruptions, and mortality. Thromboprophylaxis is not used routinely in ambulatory patients. Tools to stratify the risk of VTE are important to help select patients who may benefit from thromboprophylaxis. Recently, the ONKOTEV score was proposed as a VTE risk predictor model for patients with cancer, but its validation is still ongoing. In this patient series, ONKOTEV score ≥2 was associated with high VTE occurrence and may stratify VTE risk in patients with pancreatic cancer, suggesting that ONKOTEV can be considered to select patients with pancreatic cancer for primary thromboprophylaxis.

MicroRNAs and Neutrophil Activation Markers Predict Venous Thrombosis in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Distal Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Cancer-associated venous thrombosis (VTE) increases mortality and morbidity. However, limited tools are available to identify high risk patients. Upon activation, neutrophils release their content through different mechanisms, thereby prompting thrombosis. We explored plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) and neutrophil activation markers to predict VTE in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and distal extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (DECC). Twenty-six PDAC and 6 DECC patients recruited at cancer diagnosis, were examined for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms, and were then followed-up with clinical examinations, blood collections, and biCUS. Ten patients developed VTE and were compared with 22 age- and sex-matched controls. miRNA expression levels were measured at diagnosis and right before VTE, and neutrophil activation markers (cell-free DNA, nucleosomes, calprotectin, and myeloperoxidase) were measured in every sample obtained during follow-up. We obtained a profile of 7 miRNAs able to estimate the risk of future VTE at diagnosis (AUC = 0.95; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) (0.987, 1)) with targets involved in the pancreatic cancer and complement and coagulation cascades pathways. Seven miRNAs were up- or down-regulated before VTE compared with diagnosis. We obtained a predictive model of VTE with calprotectin as predictor (AUC = 0.77; 95% CI (0.57, 0.95)). This is the first study that addresses the ability of plasma miRNAs and neutrophil activation markers to predict VTE in PDAC and DECC.

Splanchnic vein thrombosis predicts worse survival in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic cancer is a thrombogenic malignancy with nearly half of venous thrombotic events occurring in the splanchnic circulation. The effect of splanchnic vein thrombosis on mortality in pancreatic cancer is unknown. We studied the effect of splanchnic vein thrombosis on mortality in veterans with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and explored the association of anticoagulant therapy on mortality and hemorrhage.

METHODS

Using International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes, we identified eligible patients and outcomes in the Veterans Health Administration database. Using Cox proportional hazards regression, we analyzed the association between splanchnic vein thrombosis and mortality among patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. We used propensity score inverse probability-of-treatment weighting to balance the groups who did and did not receive anticoagulation. To understand the role of anticoagulant therapy, we used Cox proportional hazards regression to analyze mortality and competing risk analysis to assess the risk of hemorrhage.

RESULTS

Of the patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (N = 6164), 122 developed splanchnic vein thrombosis. Splanchnic vein thrombosis was associated with a two-fold increase in mortality, aHR 2.02, 95% CI 1.65-2.47. The finding held true after restricting the analysis to patients undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer, and after adjusting for immortal time bias by a 30-day landmark analysis. Anticoagulant therapy did not affect mortality (aHR 0.99, 95% CI 0.65-1.51), and increased the risk of hemorrhage (aHR 2.7, 95% CI 1.02-7.07).

CONCLUSION

Splanchnic vein thrombosis predicts worse survival in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Anticoagulant therapy may not mitigate this increased mortality, and increases the risk of hemorrhage.

Assessment of preoperative hypercoagulability in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) using rapid thromboelastography (r-TEG)

Patients with malignant tumors are usually accompanied with hypercoagulability state and high incidence risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), especially in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, conventional coagulation test is failed to identify this abnormity. We retrospectively reviewed clinical data of 78 PDAC patients and 79 age-matched controls with rapid thromboelastography (r-TEG) and conventional coagulation test. The main index of r-TEG include TEG-ACT (second), R (second), K (second), angleα (°) and MA (mm), and a short TEG-ACT, short R, a short K, a broad angleα and a prolonged MA can identify hypercoagulability. Compared with age-matched controls, the PADC patients were analyzed to have a shorter K value (72. + 24 ± 22.90 vs. 85.63 ± 32.81, P = 0.0014), increased angleα value (76.20 ± 3.68 vs. 74.415 ± 4.73, P = 0.009) and MA value (63.33 ± 7.19 vs. 60.89 ± 5.52, P = 0.18). Both TEG-ACT (101.72 ± 7.57 vs. 103.78 ± 7.33, P = 0.086) and R (32.95 ± 4.72 vs. 34.34 ± 4.61, P = 0.085) value showed no significant difference in two groups. The laboratory values for conventional coagulation test were within normal ranges: PT (11.65 ± 0.95 vs. 11.38 ± 0.79, P = 0.049), INR (1.01 ± 0.09 vs. 0.98 ± 0.08, P = 0.101), aPTT (28.75 ± 3.45 vs. 28.00 ± 2.98, P = 0.149) and TT (19.44 ± 1.12 vs. 19.69 ± 1.35, P = 0.212). Incidence rates of VTE were 3.8% (3 of 78 patients) and 1.3% (1 of 79 patients) respectively (Fisher's exact test: P = 0.367). Several r-TEG indexes can indicate coagulation disorders within PDAC patients, but the incidence rates of VTE for both PDAC patients and normal controls had no significant difference. Compare to the control group, the potential hypercoagulability of PDAC patients did not correlate to thrombotic complications.

Clinical outcomes of comorbid cancer patients with venous thromboembolism: A retrospective, single-center study in Korea

In this single-center, retrospective study, we aimed to report the clinical outcomes, among Asian comorbid cancer patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE), and compare them with those of VTE patients without cancer.Between January 2013 and December 2017, a total of 322 consecutive patients-diagnosed with acute VTE involving the leg, pelvis, or lung-were screened for inclusion. Comorbid cancer patients with VTE (n = 135, 41.9%) were included in this study and analyzed in comparison with VTE patients without cancer (n = 187, 58.1%). The study outcomes were the composite incidence of symptomatic and radiologically confirmed recurrence of VTE, or any-cause mortality.The study outcome incidence was 62.2% (n = 84) during a mean follow-up period of 10 months: VTE recurrence in 7 patients and any-cause mortality in 83. Upon multivariate analysis, higher body mass index, diabetes mellitus, cancer stage IV, and radiotherapy were independently associated with study outcome incidence. VTE involving the inferior vena cava (hazard ratio [HR], 12.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-120.80; P = .034), lung cancer (HR, 16.5; 95% CI, 2.32-117.50; P = .005), and use of vitamin K antagonists (HR, 36.4; 95% CI, 3.00-442.70; P = .005) were independent predictors of VTE recurrence. Compared with VTE patients without cancer, the study outcome incidence was significantly higher among comorbid cancer patients with VTE (62.2% vs 7.5%, P < .001), although there was no significant difference in VTE recurrence between the 2 groups (5.2% in patients with cancer vs 3.7% in patients without cancer, P = .531).We found that various cancer-related and patient-related factors were associated with outcomes among comorbid cancer patients with VTE. The composite incidence of VTE recurrence or any-cause mortality was significantly higher among cancer patients with VTE than among VTE patients without cancer.