– ISTOCK – Archivo
MADRID, 9 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Blood clots, known as thromboembolism, are the second leading cause of death for individuals with cancer, surpassed only by the cancer’s progression itself. Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, are routinely used to treat or prevent these clots.
For men with advanced prostate cancer, the risk of thromboembolism can be particularly concerning. Previous laboratory studies suggested that androgen receptor pathway inhibitors – a common treatment for advanced prostate cancer – might interact with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs).
SAFETY OF ANTICOAGULANTS IN ADVANCED PROSTATE CANCER
However, a new study from the University of Ottawa (Canada) found no evidence of increased bleeding or clotting risk in adults with advanced prostate cancer taking these inhibitors alongside different types of anticoagulants. The findings were published in ‘CANCER’, a peer-reviewed journal from the American Cancer Society. This research offers reassurance to both physicians and patients regarding treatment options.
To determine if the initial laboratory findings translated to real-world patient outcomes, researchers analyzed data from patients taking anticoagulants and androgen receptor pathway inhibitors, including enzalutamide, apalutamide, and abiraterone.
A retrospective analysis of 2,997 Canadian adults with prostate cancer prescribed anticoagulants (DOACs or non-DOACs) and either enzalutamide or apalutamide between 2012 and 2023 revealed no increased risk of clotting in the DOAC groups compared to those not taking DOACs. Similarly, researchers found no increased risk of bleeding when comparing DOAC and non-DOAC groups combined with abiraterone.
“As clinicians, we constantly face the challenge of selecting the best anticoagulant option for our patients, a complexity that increases for cancer patients taking multiple medications, including cancer therapies, which could potentially cause concerning drug interactions,” explained lead author Tzu-Fei Wang, from the University of Ottawa and the Ottawa Hospital and Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.
“Our findings suggest that concerns about pharmacokinetic interactions may not translate into adverse clinical outcomes in clinical practice. These results can help clinicians and patients feel more confident when administering anticoagulation alongside modern prostate cancer treatments.”
