The role of anticoagulation in venous thromboembolism primary prophylaxis in patients with malignancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with cancer. As such, we conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated anticoagulants as primary prophylaxis against VTE in cancer patients. METHODS: Pubmed/MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were screened for all RCTs that used anticoagulation therapy in cancer patients for primary prevention of VTE. The primary outcomes were VTE events. Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality, VTE-related mortality and major bleeding. A random effects model was used to report the risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and odds ratios (ORs) with Bayesian 95% credible intervals for both direct and network meta-analyses, respectively. RESULTS: Twenty-four RCTs were included totaling 13,338 patients (7197 received anticoagulation and 6141 received placebo). The mean age ranged between 54.6 and 68.1 years, with 50.5% male. Compared with placebo, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) or direct Xa inhibitors were associated with lower VTE events (RR 0.58; 95%CI 0.48-0.69, P < 0.001) and (RR 0.39; 95%CI 0.24-0.63, p < 0.001), respectively. LMWH was associated with decreased VTE and all-cause mortality when compared with placebo (P < 0.05). Regarding safety outcomes, LMWH and direct Xa inhibitors were not associated with increased risks of major bleeding (P > 0.05) when compared with placebo. Results regarding VTE events and major bleeding were consistent in both lung and pancreatic cancers. CONCLUSIONS: Both LMWH and direct Xa inhibitors were associated with a lower VTE events compared with placebo. However, this potentially protective effect must be balanced against the possible increased risk of bleeding for some patients.

Safety and efficacy of aspirin for primary prevention of cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, cancer is the second leading cause of mortality, and millions more battle cancer worldwide. As such, primary prevention of cancer is a major interest globally. Aspirin has been studied as a primary prevention method for multiple diseases, mainly cardiovascular disease and various forms of cancer. The role of aspirin as a primary prevention of cancer is still controversial and may be more beneficial in certain cancers over others. With rapidly surfacing large randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studying this subject, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of aspirin as a primary prophylaxis for cancer. METHODS: A comprehensive electronic database search was conducted for all RCTs that compared aspirin versus placebo for the prevention of any type of disease, and where cancer incidence or mortality was reported. The primary outcome was cancerrelated mortality. Secondary outcomes were cancer incidence, all-cause mortality, major bleeding, any bleeding and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. We calculated risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model at the longest follow-up period. RESULTS: We included 16 RCTs with 104,018 total patients, mean age of 60.51 years, mean follow-up of 5.48 years, and a male percentage of 38.72%. We found that aspirin was not associated with a significant reduction of cancer-related mortality compared with placebo (RR 0.99; 95% CI: 0.87-1.12; P = 0.85: I2 = 41%). Compared with placebo, aspirin was not associated with significant reduction of all-cause mortality (RR 0.97; 95% CI: 0.92-1.02; P = 0.19; I2 = 13%) or cancer incidence (RR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.92-1.04; P = 0.43; I2 = 16%). However, aspirin treatment was associated with significantly increased risks of any bleeding (RR 1.63; 95% CI: 1.31-2.03; P < 0.01), major bleeding (RR 1.41; 95% CI: 1.26-1.57; P < 0.01), and GI bleeding (RR 1.85; 95% CI: 1.38-2.48; P < 0.01) compared with placebo. CONCLUSION: Our study did not find any significant reductions in cancer-related mortality or cancer incidence when compared aspirin use with placebo or no aspirin. Our study also highlights that the use of aspirin for primary prevention of cancer was found to cause higher rates of bleeding (any bleeding, major bleeding, and GI bleeding) compared to placebo or no aspirin at the longest follow-up period with no significant benefit in cancer primary prevention.

Aspirin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after hip or knee arthroplasty: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Patients who undergo knee or hip arthroplasty are at a significant risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) development (pulmonary embolism and/or deep-vein thrombosis). Many different thromboprophylactic strategies have been used for the prevention of VTE in these patients with different outcomes. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of aspirin prophylaxis when compared with placebo or anticoagulants in this population of patients. METHODS: A comprehensive electronic database search was conducted for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the clinical outcomes of aspirin versus placebo or anticoagulants for the prevention of VTE after knee or hip arthroplasty. The primary outcome was VTE incidence. Secondary outcomes included any bleeding, major bleeding and mortality. We calculated risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model at the longest possible follow-up period. RESULTS: We included 13 RCTs with a total of 20,115 patients with a mean age of 67.15 ±â€¯9.54 and 24.39% males. Aspirin was found to be associated with a non-significantly reduced VTE events compared with other thromboprophylactic methods (RR 0.87; 95% CI: 0.61-1.23; P = 0.43). Compared with placebo, aspirin was associated with significant reduction of VTE (RR 0.65; 95% CI: 0.47-0.89; P = 0.008). There were no significant differences in the clinical outcomes between all groups with regard to mortality (RR 0.98; 95% CI: 0.86-1.11; P = 0.72), major bleeding events (RR 0.96; 95% CI: 0.50-1.84; P = 0.91), and any bleeding events (RR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.82-1.44; P = 0.56). CONCLUSION: Among patients who underwent knee or hip arthroplasty, aspirin prophylaxis was found to be associated with similar efficacy and safety outcomes when compared with anticoagulants. When compared with placebo, aspirin prophylaxis was associated with significantly reduced VTE and a comparable safety profile.

Aspirin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after hip or knee arthroplasty: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Patients who undergo knee or hip arthroplasty are at a significant risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) development (pulmonary embolism and/or deep-vein thrombosis). Many different thromboprophylactic strategies have been used for the prevention of VTE in these patients with different outcomes. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of aspirin prophylaxis when compared with placebo or anticoagulants in this population of patients. METHODS: A comprehensive electronic database search was conducted for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the clinical outcomes of aspirin versus placebo or anticoagulants for the prevention of VTE after knee or hip arthroplasty. The primary outcome was VTE incidence. Secondary outcomes included any bleeding, major bleeding and mortality. We calculated risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model at the longest possible follow-up period. RESULTS: We included 13 RCTs with a total of 20,115 patients with a mean age of 67.15 ±â€¯9.54 and 24.39% males. Aspirin was found to be associated with a non-significantly reduced VTE events compared with other thromboprophylactic methods (RR 0.87; 95% CI: 0.61-1.23; P = 0.43). Compared with placebo, aspirin was associated with significant reduction of VTE (RR 0.65; 95% CI: 0.47-0.89; P = 0.008). There were no significant differences in the clinical outcomes between all groups with regard to mortality (RR 0.98; 95% CI: 0.86-1.11; P = 0.72), major bleeding events (RR 0.96; 95% CI: 0.50-1.84; P = 0.91), and any bleeding events (RR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.82-1.44; P = 0.56). CONCLUSION: Among patients who underwent knee or hip arthroplasty, aspirin prophylaxis was found to be associated with similar efficacy and safety outcomes when compared with anticoagulants. When compared with placebo, aspirin prophylaxis was associated with significantly reduced VTE and a comparable safety profile.

Erratum to "Aspirin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after hip or knee arthroplasty: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials": [J. Orthop. 16 (2019) 312-319].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.jor.2019.02.032.].

The Effect of Perioperative Bevacizumab on Disease-Free and Overall Survival in Locally Advanced HER-2 Negative Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple trials demonstrated that adding Bevacizumab to the standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy in HER-2 negative breast cancer increases pathological complete response. We conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate that effect on survival. METHODS: We performed a systematic search for randomized trials measuring the effect of adding either neoadjuvant or adjuvant Bevacizumab to the standard chemotherapy on disease-free and overall survival in breast cancer surgical candidates. The Mantel-Haenszel method and random effect model were used to analyze the data. A total of 7 randomized controlled trials were included in the analysis with a mean follow-up of 45 months. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference in overall survival was found after adding Bevacizumab to the standard chemotherapy in the overall study population, HR=0.9, 95% CI (90.72-1.13), estrogen/ progesterone positive subgroup, HR=0.99, 95% CI (0.72-1.35), or in triple negative breast cancer, HR=0.88, 95% CI (0.77-1.01). However, there was a small but significant improvement in disease-free survival in triple negative breast cancer with a HR of 0.88, 95% CI (0.78-0.98), but not in estrogen/ progesterone receptor positive tumors, HR=1.01, 95% CI (0.81-1.26). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of Bevacizumab along with the standard chemotherapy would not improve overall survival in breast cancer surgical candidates, however, due to a small but significant improvement on disease-free survival in triple negative breast cancer, that would not eliminate the possibility of a certain subgroup of the latter who might benefit from adding Bevacizumab.

Immunoglobulin D Multiple Myeloma Presenting as Spontaneous Fracture.

Immunoglobulin D multiple myeloma is a rare type of multiple myeloma that usually presents as bone pain, fatigue, or weight loss. We report a case of immunoglobulin D multiple myeloma in a 53-year-old Caucasian male patient with previous medical history of anaplastic oligodendroglioma status post-surgical resection who was evaluated for back pain while mowing the lawn. His physical examination showed tenderness over the lower thoracic vertebrae with no sensory or motor impairment. Initial lab investigations showed normocytic anemia and hypercalcemia with low parathyroid hormone. Magnetic resonance imaging of thoracic spine with and without contrast showed acute pathological fracture of the T12 vertebral body with enhancing soft tissue which extended into the left ventral epidural space and left T11-T12 neural foramen. Serum protein electrophoresis showed abnormal protein band in the gamma globulin. Free light chain assay showed serum free kappa which was elevated at 3,090.0 mg/L (reference range 3.3-19.4 mg/L). Immunoglobulin D was elevated at 566.0 mg/dL (reference range <15.3 mg/dL). The patient was successfully treated with standard chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplant with complete remission 3 years after starting treatment. Advancement in the treatment of immunoglobulin D multiple myeloma urge clinicians to offer their patients new treatment options especially as of the earlier presentation of this subtype of multiple myeloma and the previous reports of worse prognosis.

Factors associated with short recurrence-free survival in completely resected colon cancer.

Background: Several factors could affect disease recurrence in surgically resected colon cancer. While the role of certain factors such as cancer stage and grade is well established, the role of other factors (e.g., histological subtypes) is yet to be determined. Objective:Therefore, we conducted a study to evaluate the impact of several factors in recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients who were disease free following surgical resection of the colon cancer. Design/Methods: Data were collected for patients with Stage I-III colon cancer who underwent complete surgical resection of the tumor between January 2010 and December 2015 in our institution. A total of 90 subjects met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The following factors were collected at the time of surgical resection of the colonic tumor: patient's age, gender, colon cancer stage, grade and histological subtype, body mass index, hemoglobin A1c, and smoking history. Results: A total of 28 patients (31%) developed recurrence and had a mean follow-up time of 19.8 months (range: 2-54.4 months). Median RFS was 54.4 months with a 5-year RFS of 49%. Advanced colonic cancer stage and mucinous histological subtype were associated with shorter RFS with an HR of 2.37, 95% CI = 1.38-4.06, and 95% CI = 1.02-5.90, respectively. Current smokers or those who quit less than 15 years earlier tended to have worse RFS with an HR of 2.47, 95% CI = 0.98-6.27. Conclusion: Advanced colon cancer stage and mucinous histological subtype are independent risk factors for cancer recurrence and shorter RFS in completely resected colonic tumor.

Hypertrophic Pulmonary Osteoarthropathy: A Case Report.

A 42-year-old male presented to the emergency department with difficulty breathing and body pain particularly in his bilateral lower extremities. A workup was done and he was diagnosed with sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung. Bone scintigraphy was performed and hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy was diagnosed to be the source of the pain.