Impact of Tumor Genomic Mutations on Thrombotic Risk in Cancer Patients

Lung Cancer Related Thrombosis (LCART): Focus on Immune Checkpoint Blockade

Cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) is a common complication in lung cancer patients. Lung cancer confers an increased risk of thrombosis compared to other solid malignancies across all stages of the disease. Newer treatment agents, including checkpoint immunotherapy and targeted agents, may further increase the risk of CAT. Different risk-assessment models, such as the Khorana Risk Score, and newer approaches that incorporate genetic risk factors have been used in lung cancer patients to evaluate the risk of thrombosis. The management of CAT is based on the results of large prospective trials, which show similar benefits to low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in ambulatory patients. The anticoagulation agent and duration of therapy should be personalized according to lung cancer stage and histology, the presence of driver mutations and use of antineoplastic therapy, including recent curative lung surgery, chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Treatment options should be evaluated in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been shown to impact the thrombotic risk in cancer patients. This review focuses on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, novel predictive scores and management of CAT in patients with active lung cancer, with a focus on immune checkpoint inhibitors.

EML4-ALK fusion protein in Lung cancer cells enhances venous thrombogenicity through the pERK1/2-AP-1-tissue factor axis

BACKGROUND

Accumulating evidence links the echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4)-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement to venous thromboembolism (VTE) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, the corresponding mechanisms remain unclear.

METHOD

High-throughput sequencing analysis of H3122 human ALK-positive NSCLC cells treated with ALK inhibitor/ dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was performed to identify coagulation-associated differential genes between EML4-ALK fusion protein inhibited cells and control cells. Sequentially, we confirmed its expression in NSCLC patients' tissues and in the plasma of a subcutaneous xenograft mouse model. An inferior vena cava (IVC) ligation model was used to assess clot formation potential. Additionally, pathways involved in tissue factor (TF) regulation were explored in ALK-positive cell lines H3122 and H2228. Statistical significance was determined by Student t-test and one-way ANOVA using SPSS.

RESULTS

Sequencing analysis identified a significant downregulation of TF after inhibiting EML4-ALK fusion protein activity in H3122 cells. In clinical NSCLC cases, TF expression was increased especially in ALK-positive NSCLC tissues. Meanwhile, H3122 and H2228 with high TF expression exhibited shorter plasma clotting time and higher TF activity versus ALK-negative H1299 and A549 in cell culture supernatant. Mice bearing H2228 tumor showed a higher concentration of tumor-derived TF and TF activity in plasma and the highest adjusted IVC clot weights. Limiting EML4-ALK protein phosphorylation downregulated extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2)-activating the protein-1(AP-1) signaling pathway and thus attenuated TF expression.

CONCLUSION

EML4-ALK fusion protein may enhance venous thrombogenicity by regulating coagulation factor TF expression. There was potential involvement of the pERK1/2-AP-1 pathway in this process.

The Role of KRAS Mutation in Colorectal Cancer-Associated Thrombosis

Venous thromboembolic events (VTE) are common in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and represent a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality. Risk stratification is paramount in deciding the initiation of thromboprophylaxis and is calculated using scores that include tumor location, laboratory values, patient clinical characteristics, and tumor burden. Commonly used risk scores do not include the presence of molecular aberrations as a variable. This retrospective study aims to confirm the link between KRAS-activating mutations and the development of VTE in CRC. A total of 166 patients were included in this study. They were split into two cohorts based on KRAS mutational status. We evaluated the frequency and mean time to VTE development stratified by the presence of KRAS mutations. Patients with mutant KRAS had an odds ratio (OR) of 2.758 for VTE compared to KRAS wild-type patients, with an increased risk of thrombosis being maintained in KRAS mutant patients even after adjusting for other known VTE risk factors. Taking into account the results of this study, KRAS mutation represents an independent risk factor for VTE.

A New Risk Prediction Model for Venous Thromboembolism and Death in Ambulatory Lung Cancer Patients

(1) Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent complication in ambulatory lung cancer patients during chemotherapy and is associated with increased mortality. (2) Methods: We analyzed 568 newly diagnosed metastatic lung cancer patients prospectively enrolled in the HYPERCAN study. Blood samples collected before chemotherapy were tested for thrombin generation (TG) and a panel of hemostatic biomarkers. The Khorana risk score (KRS), new-Vienna CATS, PROTECHT, and CONKO risk assessment models (RAMs) were applied. (3) Results: Within 6 months, the cumulative incidences of VTE and mortality were 12% and 29%, respectively. Patients with VTE showed significantly increased levels of D-dimer, FVIII, prothrombin fragment 1 + 2, and TG. D-dimer and ECOG performance status were identified as independent risk factors for VTE and mortality by multivariable analysis and utilized to generate a risk score that provided a cumulative incidence of VTE of 6% vs. 25%, death of 19% vs. 55%, and in the low- vs. high-risk group, respectively (p < 0.001). While all published RAMs significantly stratified patients for risk of death, only the CATS and CONKO were able to stratify patients for VTE. (4) Conclusions: A new prediction model was generated to stratify lung cancer patients for VTE and mortality risk, where other published RAMs failed.

Cancer Histology and Natural History of Patients with Lung Cancer and Venous Thromboembolism

Simple Summary

Cancer is a widely heterogeneous disease, and the natural history of patients with cancer-associated thrombosis may differ according to the cancer site. Lung cancer is the most common malignancy, and a leading cause of death. A number of studies in the literature suggest that patients with adenocarcinoma may have a worse outcome than those with squamous or other types of lung cancer. The aim of the current study was to assess the potential impact of lung cancer histology on the incidence rates of VTE recurrences, major bleeding, or death appearing during the course of anticoagulation, in patients with lung cancer and VTE. Our findings, obtained from a large series of consecutive patients with lung cancer and VTE (482 patients), reveal important differences between patients with adenocarcinoma vs. other histologies in their outcomes during anticoagulation. This might likely help to design better therapeutic strategies for patients with lung cancer.

Abstract

Background: In patients with lung cancer and venous thromboembolism (VTE), the influence of cancer histology on outcome has not been consistently evaluated. Methods: We used the RIETE registry (Registro Informatizado Enfermedad TromboEmbólica) to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes during anticoagulation in patients with lung cancer and VTE, according to the histology of lung cancer. Results: As of April 2022, there were 482 patients with lung cancer and VTE: adenocarcinoma 293 (61%), squamous 98 (20%), small-cell 44 (9.1%), other 47 (9.8%). The index VTE was diagnosed later in patients with squamous cancer than in those with adenocarcinoma (median, 5 vs. 2 months). In 50% of patients with adenocarcinoma, the VTE appeared within the first 90 days since cancer diagnosis. During anticoagulation (median 106 days, IQR: 45–214), 14 patients developed VTE recurrences, 15 suffered major bleeding, and 218 died: fatal pulmonary embolism 10, fatal bleeding 2. The rate of VTE recurrences was higher than the rate of major bleeding in patients with adenocarcinoma (11 vs. 6 events), and lower in those with other cancer types (3 vs. 9 events). On multivariable analysis, patients with adenocarcinoma had a non-significantly higher risk for VTE recurrences (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.79; 95%CI: 0.76–18.8), a lower risk of major bleeding (HR: 0.29; 95%CI: 0.09–0.95), and a similar risk of mortality (HR: 1.02; 95%CI: 0.76–1.36) than patients with other types of lung cancer. Conclusions: In patients with lung adenocarcinoma, the rate of VTE recurrences outweighed the rate of major bleeding. In patients with other lung cancers, it was the opposite.

Thrombotic events in patients using cyclin dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors, analysis of existing ambulatory risk assessment models and the potential influences of tumor specific risk factors

Cyclin dependent kinase 4 of 6 inhibitors (CDKi) are key therapeutics in the treatment of advanced breast cancer and have recently been approved in small cell lung cancer for the prevention of myelosuppression. Thrombotic events have emerged as a significant treatment related adverse event in up to 5% of patients in clinical trials and has been reported at higher rates, up to 10%, in real world analysis. The prothrombotic mechanisms of CDKis, however, remain unknown. Cancer specific risk assessment models exist to identify who may be at highest risk of thrombosis and who could potentially benefit from prophylactic anticoagulation. However, these models may not be accurate in patients taking CDKis and may not fully capture recently identified thrombotic risk factors such as tumor specific somatic mutations. In the following manuscript, we summarize the literature on thrombotic events with CDKis in clinical trials and real-world settings, review the existing thrombosis risk assessment models for ambulatory cancer patients, and discuss the literature on tumor mutations and role in cancer associated thrombosis.

Common Pathophysiology in Cancer, Atrial Fibrillation, Atherosclerosis, and Thrombosis: JACC: CardioOncology State-of-the-Art Review

Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the 2 leading causes of death worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests common mechanisms between cancer and cardiovascular disease, including atrial fibrillation and atherosclerosis. With advances in cancer therapies, screening, and diagnostics, cancer-specific survival and outcomes have improved. This increase in survival has led to the coincidence of cardiovascular disease, including atrial fibrillation and atherosclerosis, as patients with cancer live longer. Additionally, cancer and cardiovascular disease share several risk factors and underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms, including inflammation, cancer-related factors including treatment effects, and alterations in platelet function. Patients with cancer are at increased risk for bleeding and thrombosis compared with the general population. Although optimal antithrombotic therapy, including agent choice and duration, has been extensively studied in the general population, this area remains understudied in patients with cancer despite their altered thrombotic and bleeding risk. Future investigation, including incorporation of cancer-specific characteristics to traditional thrombotic and bleeding risk scores, clinical trials in the cancer population, and the development of novel antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory strategies on the basis of shared pathophysiologic mechanisms, is warranted to improve outcomes in this patient population.

Concomitant genetic alterations are associated with plasma D-dimer level in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Objective: D-dimer is correlated to the poor prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer. The study aimed to investigate the association between plasma D-dimer and concomitant mutations in non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: A total of 517 non-small cell lung cancer patients were recruited and tested for ALK, BRAF, EGFR, HER2/ERBB2, KRAS, MET, PIK3CA, RET and ROS1 mutation by next-generation sequencing. Multiple gene mutation information, clinical baseline data and laboratory test data were analyzed statistically. Results: All patients were divided into three groups: wild-type group, single-gene mutation group and concomitant mutation group. The analysis of D-dimer, uric acid, gender, family history, smoking history, histology and distant metastasis all showed significant differences in the three groups (p < 0.05). D-dimer was considered as a risk factor for concomitant mutations according to the unordered multiple logistic regression analysis. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that D-dimer had an important predictive value for the occurrence of concomitant mutations (AUC: 0.94; sensitivity: 88.71%; specificity: 86.46). There was significantly shorter median progression-free survival in the concomitant mutation group compared with the single mutation group (7.70 months vs 14.00 months; p = 0.0133). Conclusion: Plasma D-dimer is significantly associated with concomitant mutations and may be regarded as a potent predictor of concomitant mutations for non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Advances in the Prediction and Risk Assessment of Lung Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism

According to the most recent data from the National Cancer Center, venous thromboembolism (VTE) has unsurprisingly become one of the most common complications in lung cancer. VTE not only interferes with the equilibrium of the clotting system but it also affects tumor progression and prognosis. For the identification of high-risk patients, many clinical risk assessment models have been developed and validated based on the risk factors found in previous studies. In this review, we will summarize advances in prediction and risk assessment of VTE, with a focus on early diagnosis and therapy, reduction of mortality, and the burden of medical costs in lung cancer patients.

Impact of the mutation profile on thrombotic risk in cancer patients

Patients with cancer present with an elevated risk of thrombosis, which entails high morbidity and mortality. Various predictive scales that incorporate clinical and biological data have been developed to identify those at high risk of thrombosis, but, in general, they do not allow for the optimal selection of subjects who are candidates for thromboprophylaxis. Recent studies have demonstrated that the mutation profile has a high impact on the risk of thrombosis; this will facilitate developing new predictive models of thrombosis in patients with cancer.

Association of Thrombosis With Hypereosinophilic Syndrome in Patients With Genetic Alterations

IMPORTANCE

Hypereosinophilic syndromes (HESs) are a rare group of disorders that result in overproduction of eosinophils, leading to tissue damage. Thrombotic complications in HES and associated risk factors in this patient population have not been extensively studied.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the rates of and risk factors associated with thrombotic events in patients with HES, including markers of clonal hematopoiesis as evidenced by molecular aberrations on next-generation sequencing.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective cohort study evaluated patients seen at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, from January 1, 2015, to January 1, 2020. Patients who had hypereosinophilia with an absolute eosinophil count of 1500 cells/μL or greater on 2 separate occasions at least 1 month apart and who underwent genetic or molecular testing as part of their work-up were included. Patients with secondary eosinophilia were excluded.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Symptomatic and asymptomatic arterial and venous thrombotic events after the diagnosis of HES and all-cause death.

RESULTS

A total of 71 patients (median age, 58 years [interquartile range (IQR), 43-67 years]; 36 women [51%]; 57 White patients [80%]) were included. Patients had a median follow-up time of 29 months (IQR, 19-49 months). Seventeen patients (24%) had 1 or more thrombotic events, including 11 venous thromboembolic events and 11 arterial thrombotic events (8 patients had ≥1 event and 3 patients had recurrent events). Patients with 1 or more thrombotic events had a higher median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (median, 1 [IQR, 1-2] vs 0 [IQR, 0-1]; P = .002), had more frequent cardiac involvement (7 of 17 events [41%] vs 6 of 54 events [11%]; P = .01), more frequently received treatment (17 of 17 events [100%] vs 40 of 54 events [74%]; P = .02), and had more molecular aberrations on next-generation sequencing (12 of 17 [71%] vs 12 of 54 [26%]; P = .003) vs patients without thrombosis. After multivariable analysis, the presence of molecular aberration was associated with increased odds of thrombosis (adjusted odds ratio, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.1-27.7). Death occurred more frequently in patients with thrombotic events compared with those without (6 of 17 [35%] vs 2 of 54 [4%]; P = .002) and in patients with molecular aberrations compared with those without (6 of 24 [25%] vs 1 of 40 [3%]; P = .009), although only thrombotic events were significantly associated with increased odds of death after multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study, thrombosis was common in patients with HES and was significantly associated with increased risk of death.

Thromboembolism in ALK+ and ROS1+ NSCLC patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Increased thromboembolism (TE) has been reported in ALK+ and ROS1+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Odds ratios (OR) and hazard ratios (HR) of TE were calculated from meta-analysis and time-to-event analysis respectively for either ALK+ or ROS1+ NSCLC patients.

RESULTS

We identified eight studies (766 ALK+, 143 ROS1+, 2314 non-ALK+ and non-ROS1+ NSCLC patients) for the meta-analysis. For ALK+ NSCLC, the pooled OR was 2.00 (95% CI: 1.60-2.50) for total TE (TTE) by random-effects model, 2.10 (95% CI: 1.70-2.60) for venous thromboembolism (VTE), and 1.24 (95% CI: 0.80-1.91) for arterial thromboembolism (ATE). For ROS1+ NSCLC, the pooled OR was 3.08 (95% CI: 1.95-4.86) for TTE, and 3.15 (95% CI: 1.83-5.43) for VTE. Six studies (739 ALK+, 137 ROS1+, 561 EGFR+, 714 "wildtype" NSCLC patients) were included in the time-to-event analysis. The TTE incidence rate was 17.4 (95% CI: 15.3-19.5) per 100 pateint-years for ALK+ NSCLC, and 32.1 (95% CI: 24.6-39.6) per 100 patient-years for ROS1+ NSCLC with a 50 % cumulative incidence rate at year 3 of diagnosis. HR for TTE was 2.35 (95% CI: 1.90-2.92, p < 0.001) and 3.23 (95% CI: 2.40-4.34, p < 0.001) for ALK+ and ROS1+ NSCLC, respectively. Comparing ROS1+ NSCLC to ALK+ NSCLC, HR for TTE was 1.37 (95% CI: 1.05-1.79, p = 0.020).

CONCLUSIONS

ALK+ and ROS1+ NSCLC patients had an increased risk of TE. ROS1+ NSCLC had further increased risk of TE over ALK+ NSCLC.

Driver Genes Associated With the Incidence of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The association between driver genes and the incidence of thromboembolic events (TEs) in patients diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) needs to be quantified to guide clinical management.

METHODS

We interrogated PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane library databases for terms related to venous thromboembolism (VTE) and arterial thromboembolism (ATE) in patients diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer harboring driver genes. This search was conducted for studies published between 1 January, 2000 and 31 December, 2020. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to analyze the pooled incidence and odds ratios of VTE in patients with different driver genes.

RESULTS

Of the 2,742 citations identified, a total of 25 studies that included 21,156 patients met eligibility criteria. The overall pooled incidence of VTE in patients with driver genes was 23% (95% CI 18-29). Patients with ROS1 rearrangements had the highest incidence of VTE (37%, 95%CI 23-52). ALK rearrangements were associated with increased VTE risks (OR=2.08,95% CI 1.69-2.55), with the second highest incidence of VTE (27%, 95%CI 20-35). Both groups of patients with EGFR and KRAS mutations did not show a significantly increased risk for VTE (OR=1.33, 95% CI 0.75-2.34; OR=1.31, 95% CI 0.40-4.28).

CONCLUSIONS

ALK rearrangements were shown to be associated with increased VTE risks in patients diagnosed with non-small lung cancer, while there was no significant relation observed between VTE risks and EGFR or KRAS mutations in lung cancer patients.

Risk of thromboembolism in patients with ALK- and EGFR-mutant lung cancer: A cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Thromboembolism (TE) is common in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is associated with worse outcomes. Recent advances in the understanding of NSCLC have led to the identification of molecular subtypes such as anaplastic lymphocyte kinase (ALK) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. The association of these subtypes with risk of TE has not been fully explored.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive NSCLC patients seen at the Cleveland Clinic from July 2002 through July 2017 for whom molecular classification and follow-up were available. TE events included deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), visceral vein thrombosis (VVT), and arterial events. TE-free survival and overall survival rates for each of the molecular subtypes (wild-type, ALK-mutant, and EGFR-mutant) were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with the endpoints TE and overall survival. TE was analyzed as a conditional, time-dependent covariate to assess its impact with respect to overall survival.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 461 patients. Approximately half were females (n = 263, 57%) and 58% (n = 270) were older than 65 years. TE occurred in 98 of 461 patients (21.3%) during a median follow-up of 33.1 months. The highest cumulative rates of TE were observed in patients with ALK-mutant NSCLC (N = 20/46, 43.5%) followed by patients with EGFR-mutant cancers (N = 35/165, 21.2%) and wild-type cancers (N = 43/250, 17.2%) P < .05. Cumulative incidence of TE at 6 months of follow-up was 15.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.0%-26.4%) for ALK-mutant cancers, 8.8% (95% CI: 4.4%-13.2%) for EGFR-mutant cancers, and 9.2% (95% CI: 5.4%-12.9%) for wild-type cancers. Patients who experienced TE had worse overall survival (all patients: hazard ratio = 2.8 95% CI 2.1-3.6, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with ALK-mutant advanced lung adenocarcinoma have the highest rate of TE. TE is associated with worse survival across molecular subtypes. These findings should be taken into consideration in decision-making regarding thromboprophylaxis.

CDK 4/6 inhibitors are associated with a high incidence of thrombotic events in women with breast cancer in real-world practice

PURPOSE

Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors are integral treatment for advanced hormone receptor positive breast cancer; however, venous thromboembolic events (VTE) occurred in 1%-5% of clinical trial patients. Thrombosis rates in the real-world setting remain unclear. We aimed to define the rate of thromboembolic events, risk factors for thrombosis on CDK 4/6 inhibitors and evaluate the Khorana VTE risk score as a predictive tool for VTE in patients on CDK 4/6 therapy.

METHODS

Multicenter retrospective analysis of adult breast cancer patients prescribed palbociclib, ribociclib, or abemaciclib. The primary endpoint was thrombosis during treatment or within 30 days of CDK inhibitor discontinuation. Cox regression was used to model time-to-thrombosis, starting from a patient's initiation of CDK 4/6 therapy. The extended Kaplan-Meier method and Cox modeling were used to assess the effect of time-varying thrombosis status on overall survival.

RESULTS

Two hundred and sixty-six patients were included (89% on palbociclib, 14% on abemaciclib, 7% on ribociclib). Twenty-nine thrombotic events occurred in 26 (9.8%) women. Of these events, 72% were venous and 34% were arterial. The 1-year incidence of thrombosis was 10.4% overall, 10.9% on palbociclib, 8.3% on ribociclib, and 4.8% on abemaciclib. Hemoglobin less than 10 g/dL was a statistically significant predictor of thrombosis (HR 3.53, P: .014). Khorana score ranged from 0-3, with the majority between 0 and 1 and was not predictive of VTE. Thrombosis was associated with reduced overall survival (HR 1.28, P: .128, median 7.3 months) compared to not having a CDK-associated clot (median 35.7 months).

DISCUSSION

VTE in our analysis is higher than reported in clinical trials and arterial thrombosis comprised over one-third of events. The highest incidence was with palbociclib, followed by ribociclib. Khorana score did not predict VTE risk. Larger, real-world studies are needed. The role for prophylactic anticoagulation is yet to be defined in this patient population.

Management of Cancer-Associated Thrombosis: An Evolving Area

The management of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) is an evolving area. With the use of direct oral anticoagulants as a new option in the management of CAT, clinicians now face several choices for the individual cancer patient with venous thromboembolism. A personalized approach, matching the right drug to the right patient, based on drug properties, efficacy and safety, side effect profile of each drug, and patient values and preference, will probably supplant the one size fits all approach of use of only low-molecular-weight heparin in the near future. We herein present eight translational, clinical research, and review articles on recent advances in the management of CAT published in the Special Issue “Treatment for Cancer-Associated Thrombosis” of Cancers. For now, a multidisciplinary patient-centered approach involving a close cooperation between oncologists and other specialists is warranted to guide clinical decision making and optimize the treatment of VTE in cancer patient.