PROGNOSTIC MARKERS FOR THROMBOTIC EVENTS IN PATIENTS WITH GASTRIC OR COLORECTAL ADENOCARCINOMAS.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Hematology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Cancer establishes a prothrombotic state in patients.
• Blood coagulation activation is linked to tumor progression and metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if plasma circulation tumor DNA and thrombin-antithrombin complex levels predict thrombotic events and death in gastric/colorectal cancer patients.
• To evaluate the predictive value of Karnofsky Performance Status for these outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Eighty-two patients were studied (20 controls, 21 gastric adenocarcinoma, 41 colorectal adenocarcinoma).
• Karnofsky Performance Status was assessed via daily task performance.
• Serum markers including thrombin-antithrombin complex and extracellular DNA were measured.

Main Results:

• 16% of patients experienced thrombosis.
• Thrombin-antithrombin complex levels >0.53 indicated a fivefold increased thrombosis risk.
• Lower Karnofsky Performance Status was a risk factor for thrombosis.
• Neither marker predicted death; Karnofsky index predicted better survival.

Conclusions:

• Thrombin-antithrombin complex is a thrombosis marker in gastric and colorectal adenocarcinomas.
• Prophylactic anticoagulation is advised for low Karnofsky values or thrombin-antithrombin complex >0.53 ng/ml.