Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in oncological patients – Long term comparative analysis of the treatment of subcutaneous venous access device scars in 89 breast cancer patients

Introduction:

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is widely used in sports medicine, tissue repair and general surgery. Recent meta-analyses showed this product to be beneficial when introduced into a wound area and a recent analysis by this study group showed significant benefit in oncological patients with the treatment of subcutaneous venous access device scars. This work is a follow-up analysis focusing on oncological safety. There is currently no data available on PRP products in oncological patients.

Methods:

Between the years of 2012 and 2016 port (venous-access device) removal was supported with the application Arthrex ACP® – a PRP product in order to improve the healing process. All surgeries were performed in the breast-cancer center of the municipal hospital of Cologne, Holweide, Germany. N = 35 patients received an application of Arthrex ACP® after port removal compared to the control group n = 54. Endpoints were local, ipsilateral, contralateral and distant recurrence as well as any-cause death.

Results:

The median follow-up was 45 months. Oncological safety was given for all patients. PRP does not seem to have a negative oncological impact. No (0) events were shown for cancer recurrence within the subcutaneous venous access device scar area. Thus, there seems to be no local oncogenic potential of the PRP product. All other recurrence endpoints as well as any-cause death favor PRP use as well.

Conclusions:

PRP products such as Arthrex ACP® seem to be safe to use in oncological patients. This is the only oncological safety data available to this date.