Apixaban vs. Dalteparin for Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism

Rates of recurrent VTE were noninferior with oral apixaban compared with subcutaneous dalteparin, and rates of major bleeding were similar.

Recommended treatment of patients with cancer-associated thrombosis has evolved beyond warfarin and subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) to now include the direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) edoxaban and rivaroxaban (NEJM JW Oncol Hematol Feb 2018; J Clin Oncol 2020; 38:496). However, studies of these DOACs have shown an increased risk for bleeding, particularly in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies (NEJM JW Oncol Hematol Oct 2018 and J Clin Oncol 2018; 36:2017; N Engl J Med 2018; 378:615).

Now, investigators have conducted an industry-funded, international, randomized, controlled, noninferiority study to compare rates of recurrent VTE in 1155 cancer patients with newly diagnosed incidental or symptomatic proximal d…

Reviewing Author

Brady L. Stein, MD, MHS

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Hematology (Senior Editor, ASH Self-Assessment Program; guideline development)

Brady L. Stein, MD, MHS

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Hematology (Senior Editor, ASH Self-Assessment Program; guideline development)

Apixaban vs. Dalteparin for Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism

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Reviewing Author