Low-molecular-weight heparins in the prevention and management of malignancy-related venous thromboembolism

Casey L. O’Connell, MD, Ilene C. Weitz, MD, and Howard A. Liebman, MD

Kenneth Norris Jr. Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a well-described and frequent complication of cancer and is the cause of significant patient morbidity and mortality. Low-molecular-weight heparins have demonstrated antithrombotic efficacy and safety in the prophylaxis and treatment of VTE. Recent clinical trials of these agents for secondary prophylaxis of VTE in cancer patients have demonstrated their superiority to warfarin. In addition, several clinical trials have suggested that they may impact the biology of cancer and improve survival in cancer patients, even in the absence of VTE. For these reasons, there is a growing interest in integrating low-molecular-weight heparins into the routine management of cancer patients with and without VTE.

Commun Oncol 2006;3:719–723 print e-mail full text 159 kb