Thromb Haemost 2012; 108(01): 160-165
DOI: 10.1160/TH12-02-0099
Cellular Proteolysis and Oncology
Schattauer GmbH

Coagulation activation and microparticle-associated coagulant activity in cancer patients

An exploratory prospective study
Frederiek F. van Doormaal
1   Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Ankie Kleinjan
1   Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
René J. Berckmans
2   Department of Clinical Chemistry, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Nigel Mackman
3   Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
,
David Manly
3   Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
,
Pieter W. Kamphuisen
1   Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Dick J. Richel
4   Department of Medical Oncology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Harry R. Büller
1   Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Auguste Sturk
2   Department of Clinical Chemistry, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Rienk Nieuwland
2   Department of Clinical Chemistry, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 20 February 2012

Accepted after major revision: 29 March 2012

Publication Date:
22 November 2017 (online)

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Summary

Cancer increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Here, we investigated the contribution of microparticle (MP)-dependent procoagulant activity to the prothrombotic state in these patients. In 43 cancer patients without VTE at study entry and 22 healthy volunteers, markers of in vivo and MP-dependent coagulation were measured and patients were prospectively followed for six months for the development of VTE. Procoagulant activity of MPs was measured in vitro using a tissue factor (TF)-independent phospholipid dependent test, a factor Xa-generation assay with and without anti-TF, and a fibrin generation test (FGT) with and without anti-factor VII(a). Markers of in vivo coagulation activation and total number of MPs at baseline were significantly elevated in cancer patients compared to controls (F1+2 246 vs. 156 pM, thrombin-antithrombin complexes 4.1 vs. 3.0 mg/l, D-dimer 0.76 vs. 0.22 mg/l and 5.53 x 106 vs. 3.37 x 106 MPs/ml). Five patients (11.6%) developed VTE. Patients with VTE had comparable levels of coagulation activation markers and phospholipid-dependent MP pro-coagulant activity. However, median TF-mediated Xa-generation (0.82 vs. 0.21 pg/ml, p=0.016) and median VIIa-dependent FGT (13% vs. 0%, p=0.036) were higher in the VTE group compared with the non-VTE group. In this exploratory study the overall hypercoagulable state in cancer patients was not associated directly with the MP phospholipid-dependent procoagulant activity. However, in the patients who developed VTE within six months when compared to those who did not, an increased MP procoagulant activity was present already at baseline, suggesting this activity can be used to predict VTE.