Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Chemotherapy-induced Vascular Toxicity - Real-time In vivo Imaging of Vessel Impairment
Published on: January 7, 2015
[Pathophysiology of chemotherapy-associated thrombosis]
1Abteilung für Hämatologie und Hämostaseologie, Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin I, Medizinische Universität Wien, Osterreich. daniel.lechner@meduniwien.ac.at
Cancer treatments like chemotherapy increase the risk of blood clots (thromboembolism) in patients. Newer therapies, including angiogenesis inhibitors, may also contribute to this risk, requiring further research into the underlying causes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Hematology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Cancer patients undergoing antineoplastic therapy face an elevated risk of thromboembolic events.
- Thromboembolism, encompassing both venous and arterial clots, is a significant concern in oncology.
- Emerging cancer treatments introduce new complexities to understanding thrombosis risk.
Purpose:
- To review current clinical and pathophysiological data on chemotherapy-associated thromboembolism.
- To examine the impact of novel therapeutic strategies, such as angiogenesis inhibitors and immunomodulatory agents, on thrombosis.
- To highlight the gaps in knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of treatment-related thrombosis.
Summary:
- Epidemiological data confirm that antineoplastic agents and regimens significantly increase the risk of venous and arterial thromboembolism in cancer patients.
- This review focuses on the clinical and pathophysiological aspects of chemotherapy-associated thrombosis, with particular attention to newer agents like angiogenesis inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs.
- Despite extensive research, a complete understanding of the mechanisms driving chemotherapy-associated thrombosis remains elusive.
Impact:
- Informs clinicians about the prothrombotic risks associated with various cancer therapies.
- Guides the development of future research into the pathophysiology of cancer-associated thrombosis.
- Highlights the need for improved risk stratification and management strategies for thromboembolism in cancer patients.
Related Concept Videos
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
