Tests predictive of thrombosis in cancer

There is a close interrelation between cancer and haemostasis, which is characterized by changes in the haemostatic system, mostly an activation of coagulation in cancer patients. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent complication of cancer and in particular of anticancer therapy and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. As the occurrence of VTE in cancer patients is a life-threatening condition, clinical parameters or laboratory tests predictive of VTE might be helpful for early identification of patients at high or low risk of VTE in order to allow a tailored therapy assessment. Recently, some candidate laboratory parameters or biomarkers, such as blood count, P-selectin, D-Dimer, prothrombin fragment 1+2, clotting factor VIII and tissue factor, have been identified as predictors of the VTE risk in cancer. Interventional trials based on risk assessment with the use of biomarkers or risk scoring models are needed to demonstrate effectiveness and safety of tailored thromboprophylaxis. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.