Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis and Treatment in Patients With Cancer Update
Guideline Status: Current
Published Online: April 19, 2023
Last Updated: August 14, 2024
Published online before print April 19, 2023. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.23.00294
Nigel S. Key, Alok A. Khorana, Nicole M. Kuderer, Kari Bohlke, Agnes Y. Y. Lee, Juan I Arcelus, Sandra L. Wong, Edward P. Balaban, Christopher R. Flowers, Leigh E. Gates, Ajay K. Kakkar, Margaret A. Tempero, Shilpi Gupta, Gary H. Lyman, and Anna Falanga
Purpose
To conduct an update of the ASCO venous thromboembolism (VTE) guideline
Methods
After publication of potentially practice-changing clinical trials, identified through ASCO’s signals approach to updating, an updated systematic review was performed for two guideline questions: perioperative thromboprophylaxis and treatment of VTE. PubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between November 1, 2018, and June 6, 2022.
Results
Five RCTs provided information that contributed to changes to the 2019 recommendations. Two RCTs addressed direct factor Xa inhibitors (either rivaroxaban or apixaban) for extended thromboprophylaxis after surgery. Each of these postoperative trials had important limitations but suggested that these two oral anticoagulants are safe and effective in the settings studied. An additional three RCTs addressed apixaban in the setting of VTE treatment. Apixaban was effective in reducing the risk of recurrent VTE, with a low risk of major bleeding.
Recommendations
Apixaban and rivaroxaban were added as options for extended pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis after cancer surgery, with a weak strength of recommendation. Apixaban was also added as an option for the treatment of VTE, with high quality of evidence and a strong recommendation.
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