Occult cancer in patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism: A nested case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: Detecting occult cancer in patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a significant challenge. Our objective was to investigate the potential predictive role of coagulation-related biomarkers in the diagnosis of occult malignancies. METHODS: We conducted a nested case-control study with a 1-year prospective cohort of 214 patients with unprovoked VTE, with a focus on identifying occult cancer. At the time of VTE diagnosis, we measured various biomarkers, including soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin), dimerized plasmin fragment D (D-dimer), platelets, leukocytes, hemoglobin, total extracellular vesicles (EVs), EVs expressing tissue factor on their surface (TF+EVs), and EVs expressing P-selectin on their surface (Psel+EVs) in all participants. RESULTS: We observed statistically significant increased levels of sP-selectin (P = .015) in patients with occult cancer. Despite an increase in Psel+EVs, TF+EVs, D-dimer, and platelets within this group, however, no significant differences were found. When sP-selectin exceeded 62 ng/mL and D-dimer surpassed 10,000 µg/L, the diagnosis of occult cancer demonstrated a specificity of up to 91% (95% CI, 79.9%-96.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of sP-selectin and D-dimer can be a valuable biomarker in detecting occult cancer in patients with unprovoked VTE. Further research is necessary to ascertain whether easily measurable biomarkers such as sP-selectin and D-dimer can effectively distinguish between patients who have VTE with and without hidden malignancies.

Polyphosphate Activates von Willebrand Factor Interaction with Glycoprotein Ib in the Absence of Factor VIII In Vitro.

Polyphosphate (polyP), a phosphate polymer released by activated platelets, may modulate various stages of hemostasis by binding to blood proteins. In this context, we previously reported that polyP binds to the von Willebrand factor (VWF). One of the most significant functions of VWF is to bind to and protect the blood circulating Factor VIII (FVIII). Therefore, here, we study the role of polyP in the VWF-FVIII complex in vitro and suggest its biological significance. Surface plasmon resonance and electrophoretic mobility assays indicated that polyP binds dynamically to VWF only in the absence of FVIII. Using the VWF Ristocetin Cofactor assay, the most accepted method for studying VWF in platelet adhesion, we found that polyP activates this role of VWF only at low levels of FVIII, such as in plasmas with chemically depleted FVIII and plasmas from severe hemophilia A patients. Moreover, we demonstrated that FVIII competes with polyP in the activation of VWF. Finally, polyP also increases the binding of VWF to platelets in samples from patients with type 2 and type 3 von Willebrand disease. We propose that polyP may be used in designing new therapies to activate VWF when FVIII cannot be used.

Acquired Haemophilia A: A Review of What We Know.

Autoantibodies against plasma coagulation factors could be developed by some individuals inducing severe and sometimes fatal bleedings. This clinical entity is called acquired haemophilia. It should be suspected in subjects with acute abnormal bleedings, without personal or familiar history of congenital bleeding disorders with an unexplained prolonged aPTT. It is rare disease, although its incidence may be underestimated due to the low knowledge about it by many specialists, the frequent use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapies in the affected population that can mask the diagnosis and, sometimes, a so withering effect that avoid its confirmation. Mortality ranges between 9% and 33% depending on the series in the first 2 months after diagnosis. This mortality is attributed in up to 40% of the cases to infections in the context of immunosuppressive treatments used to eliminate the inhibitor. Factor VIII levels below 1% and high inhibitor titers are conditions of worse response rates. Advanced age, patient's ECOG, and underlying conditions are key prognostic factors for response to treatment and patient survival. To reduce morbidity and mortality in these patients, it is important to have clinical knowledge and access to guidelines to achieve an early diagnosis and to optimize the haemostatic and immunosuppressive treatment. This review aims to contribute to the dissemination of basic concepts on the epidemiology etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and management of these patients, as well as risk factors to get remission and the longest overall survival to allow individualized care. Especial awareness will be proposed in patients with some underlying conditions like cancer, autoimmune diseases, children, pregnancy or drugs.

Biomarkers of Venous Thromboembolism Recurrence after Discontinuation of Low Molecular Weight Heparin Treatment for Cancer-Associated Thrombosis (HISPALIS-Study).

The most appropriate duration of anticoagulant treatment for cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (CAT) remains unclear. We have conducted a prospective multicenter study in CAT patients with more than 6 months of anticoagulant treatment to predict the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence after anticoagulation discontinuation. Blood samples were obtained when patients stopped the anticoagulation, at 21 days and at 90 days. In each sample we assessed different coagulation-related biomarkers: D-dimer (DD), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), P-selectin (PS), phospholipids, soluble tissue factor, factor VIII and the thrombin generation test. It was evaluated 325 CAT patients and 166 patients were included in the study, mean age 64 ± 17 years. VTE recurrence until 6 months after stopping anticoagulation treatment was 9.87% [95% confidence interval (CI): 6−15]. The biomarkers sub-distribution hazard ratios were 6.32 for ratio DD basal/DD 21 days > 2 (95% CI: 1.82−21.90), 6.36 for hs-CRP > 4.5 (95% CI: 1.73−23.40) and 5.58 for PS > 40 (95% CI: 1.46−21.30) after 21 days of stopping anticoagulation. This is the first study that has identified the DD ratio, hs-CRP and PS as potential biomarkers of VTE recurrence in cancer patients after the discontinuation of anticoagulation treatment. A risk-adapted strategy may allow the identification of the optimal time to withdraw the anticoagulation in each CAT patient.

Hemofilia adquirida: epidemiología, clínica, diagnóstico y tratamiento / Acquired haemophilia: epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment

El desarrollo de autoanticuerpos circulantes que inhiban a los factores de la coagulación puede generar cuadros hemorrágicos graves y en ocasiones fatales. Esta entidad clínica se denominada hemofilia adquirida. Se incluye entre las enfermedades raras, aunque su incidencia puede estar infraestimada debido a la carencia de registros, a su desconocimiento por parte de muchos especialistas, a la complejidad de su diagnóstico en el laboratorio y, en ocasiones, a una presentación clínica tan fulminante que impide su confirmación. La mortalidad oscila entre el 9 y el 33% según las series. Para reducirla es importante que el clínico, aun no siendo especialista en hemostasia, conozca las pautas a seguir para obtener un diagnóstico precoz. Esta revisión pretende contribuir a la difusión de conceptos básicos para el diagnóstico y manejo de estos pacientes, así como para su derivación inmediata a una unidad de hematología en la que puedan recibir el tratamiento adecuado (AU)

The development of circulating autoantibodies able to inhibit some coagulation proteins induces severe or even life-threatening bleeding. This disorder is called acquired haemophilia. This is a rare disease, although its impact may be underestimated because of the lack of records, the lack of knowledge by many specialists, the complexity of the laboratory diagnosis and, finally, because of the fulminant clinical presentation that often precludes diagnosis. Several studies established that mortality ranges between 9 and 33%. Not only haematologists but all physicians should be trained to follow the right steps to diagnose these patients as soon as possible in order to reduce such mortality rates. This review approaches the basic concepts dealing with the diagnosis and management of these patients and intends to assist physicians in identifying patients under suspicion of acquired haemophilia to correctly manage them and refer them to the appropriate Haemostasis Unit (AU)

Acquired haemophilia: Epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment. / Hemofilia adquirida: epidemiología, clínica, diagnóstico y tratamiento.

The development of circulating autoantibodies able to inhibit some coagulation proteins induces severe or even life-threatening bleeding. This disorder is called acquired haemophilia. This is a rare disease, although its impact may be underestimated because of the lack of records, the lack of knowledge by many specialists, the complexity of the laboratory diagnosis and, finally, because of the fulminant clinical presentation that often precludes diagnosis. Several studies established that mortality ranges between 9 and 33%. Not only haematologists but all physicians should be trained to follow the right steps to diagnose these patients as soon as possible in order to reduce such mortality rates. This review approaches the basic concepts dealing with the diagnosis and management of these patients and intends to assist physicians in identifying patients under suspicion of acquired haemophilia to correctly manage them and refer them to the appropriate Haemostasis Unit.