Microparticle-associated tissue factor activity and venous thrombosis in multiple myeloma

Thromb Haemost. 2011 Jan;105(1):14-20. doi: 10.1160/TH10-03-0187. Epub 2010 Nov 5.

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolic (VTE) complications. Aim of this study was to measure microparticle-associated tissue factor (MP-TF) activity in patients with newly diagnosed MM before and after chemotherapy and to investigate whether MP-TF activity is associated with VTE. MP-TF activity was assessed in 122 newly diagnosed MM patients who were eligible for combination chemotherapy. MP-TF activity levels (17.6 fM Xa/min [8.6-33.2] (median [IQR]) were higher in untreated MM patients compared to normal healthy volunteers (4.1 fM Xa/min [2.3-6.6], p <0.001). MP-TF activity prior to the start of treatment was not different between patients who developed a VTE during follow-up (n=15) and those who did not (n=107). In 75 patients in whom plasma was obtained before and after chemotherapy, MP-TF activity decreased significantly (from 17.4 [10.2-32.8] to 12.0 [7.0-18.5] fM Xa/min, P=0.006). MP-TF activity remained, however, elevated in patients who developed VTE (15.1 [10.3-25.2]), in contrast to patients not developing VTE (11.4 [7.0-25.2], P<0.001). In conclusion, MP-TF activity is increased in patients with MM. Whether MP-TF activity has a pathogenetic role in VTE in MM patients remains to be established in future studies.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Boronic Acids / therapeutic use
  • Bortezomib
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell-Derived Microparticles / chemistry*
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / chemistry
  • Multiple Myeloma / complications*
  • Pyrazines / therapeutic use
  • Thalidomide / therapeutic use
  • Thromboplastin / analysis
  • Thromboplastin / metabolism*
  • Venous Thrombosis / etiology*
  • Vincristine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Boronic Acids
  • Pyrazines
  • Thalidomide
  • Vincristine
  • Bortezomib
  • Dexamethasone
  • Doxorubicin
  • Thromboplastin

Supplementary concepts

  • VAD protocol