Abstract Introduction Cancer associated thrombosis is the second most common cause of mortality among patients with malignancy. While preventive low molecular weight heparin is effective in preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE), lack of agreement on risk stratification methods have precluded its widespread use. The most studied VTE prediction tool is the Khorana score, but it does not capitalize on the use of novel biomarkers. We aimed to evaluate the value of biomarkers in prediction of VTE among patients with active cancer receiving outpatient chemotherapy. Methods We prospectively collected pre-chemotherapy blood samples on adult patients with solid organ tumors. We excluded patients on anticoagulation and those unable or unwilling to consent. Along with demographics and cancer specific variables, potential novel predictors of VTE were selected a priori and included: coated platelets (CP), D dimer (DD), protein C (PC), fibrin monomers (FM), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet microparticles (PMP). Type of cancer was grouped according to the Khorana score (Very high risk: Stomach, Pancreas; High risk: Lung, Gynecologic, Bladder, Testicular; Low/Moderate risk: all other sites). VTE events were adjudicated at 6 months of follow up. For all statistical analyses we used SAS 9.2 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). A p value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. We only performed univariate analysis at this point of our study due to the stage of recruitment and period of follow-up. Results We have recruited a total of 101 patients (mean + standard deviation age 59.7+11 years, 68% female), 20% of the 75 patients with complete follow up have developed a VTE. We found no significant association between the incidence of VTE and age, gender, or baseline Khorana score. The variables associated with incident VTE were: BMI (odds ratio [OR] 8.5 for BMI<25 kg/m2, p<0.001), type of cancer (OR 14.5 for very high risk compared to high risk, p<0.01) and protein C (OR 3.3 for protein C<110ug/mL the lowest tertile, p=0.05). The rest of the tested potential biomarkers did not have a strong association with incident VTE in the current analysis (Table). Twenty percent of the patients were on aspirin and none of them developed VTE compared to 23% of those not taking aspirin who developed VTE, (p=0.2). Conclusion Pre Chemotherapy level of Protein C is a potential biomarker for the incidence of VTE. We confirm that cancer type and BMI are predictors of cancer associated VTE. In addition, lower BMI is not usually recognized as a potential predictor of VTE in other prediction scores. We were underpowered to detect differences in the VTE incidence according to Khorana score. Finally, aspirin may have a role in outpatient cancer associated VTE prevention and deserves further investigation. Disclosures: Tafur: Stago Diagnostica: Research Funding. Rathbun:Stago Diagnostica: Research Funding.
Dose-Response Study of Recombinant Factor VIIa/Tissue Factor Inhibitor Recombinant Nematode Anticoagulant Protein c2 in Prevention of Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Replacement
Background —With the best prophylactics now available, venous thromboembolism after total knee replacement remains substantial (25% to 27%). Recombinant nematode anticoagulant protein c2 (rNAPc2) is a potent inhibitor of factor VIIa/tissue factor complex that has the potential to reduce this risk. The present study was performed to determine an efficacious and safe dose of rNAPc2 for prevention of venous thromboembolism after elective, unilateral total knee replacement. Methods and Results —This open-label, sequential dose-ranging study was conducted in 11 centers in Canada, Europe, and the United States. Five regimens were tested. Injections were administered subcutaneously on the day of surgery (day 1) and days 3, 5, and optionally, day 7. Primary efficacy outcome was a composite of overall deep vein thrombosis based on mandatory unilateral venography (day 7±2) and confirmed symptomatic venous thromboembolism recorded ≤48 hours after the last dose of rNAPc2. Primary safety outcome was major bleeding ≤72 hours after the last dose. An independent, blinded Central Adjudication Committee assessed all outcome events. Of 293 patients studied, 251 (86%) could be evaluated for primary efficacy analysis. A dosage of 3.0 μg/kg administered within 1 hour after surgery provided the best observed results, with an overall deep vein thrombosis rate of 12.2%, a proximal deep vein thrombosis rate of 1.3%, and a major bleeding rate of 2.3%. Conclusions —A randomized, double-blind trial that compared rNAPc2 with current best prophylactics is warranted based on encouraging, first-reported clinical results for a factor VIIa/tissue factor inhibitor evaluated for thrombosis prophylaxis.