Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Cancer Associated Thrombosis Research in Rodent Models
Published on: January 5, 2024
Safety of anticoagulant treatment in cancer patients
Ineke Theodora Wilts1, Suzanne Mariëlla Bleker, Nick Van Es
1University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Vascular Medicine , Hanzeplein 1, 9700 GZ Groningen , The Netherlands +31 50 36 12943 ; +31 50 36 19069 ; i.t.wilts@umcg.nl.
Introduction:
Patients with cancer are at increased risk of (recurrent) venous thromboembolism. They are also at increased risk of bleeding. This makes treatment of venous thromboembolisms (VTE) in cancer patients challenging.
Areas Covered:
In this review, we will focus on the safety of anticoagulant treatment of VTE in cancer patients. We will discuss the absolute and relative bleeding risks associated with the various types of anticoagulants, specifically focusing on low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH), vitamin K antagonist (VKA) and the new oral anticoagulants (NOACs).
Expert Opinion:
Monotherapy with LMWH is recommended for treatment of acute VTE in cancer patients. The bleeding risk associated with LMWH is comparable to VKAs, but LMWH are more effective in preventing recurrent VTE. More evidence on the efficacy and safety of NOACs in cancer patients is needed.
Related Concept Videos
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management
Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
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...

