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Review
. 2023 Jun:186:103989.
doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.103989. Epub 2023 Apr 13.

Thrombosis and cachexia in cancer: Two partners in crime?

Joana Liz-Pimenta  1 , Valéria Tavares  2 , Beatriz Vieira Neto  3 , Joana M O Santos  3 , Catarina Brandão Guedes  4 , António Araújo  5 , Alok A Khorana  6 , Rui Medeiros  7
Affiliations
Review

Thrombosis and cachexia in cancer: Two partners in crime?

Joana Liz-Pimenta et al. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2023 Jun.

Abstract

Among cancer patients, thrombosis and cachexia are major causes of morbidity and mortality. Although the two may occur together, little is known about their possible relationship. Thus, a literature review was conducted by screening the databases PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, Medline and Web of Science. To summarize, cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) and cancer-associated cachexia (CAC) seem to share several patient-, tumour- and treatment-related risk factors. Inflammation alongside metabolic and endocrine derangement is the potential missing link between CAT, CAC and cancer. Many key players, including specific pro-inflammatory cytokines, immune cells and hormones, appear to be implicated in both thrombosis and cachexia, representing attractive predictive markers and potential therapeutic targets. Altogether, the current evidence suggests a link between CAT and CAC, however, epidemiological studies are required to explore this potential relationship. Given the high incidence and negative impact of both diseases, further studies are needed for the better management of cancer patients.

Keywords: Cachexia; Hormones; Inflammation; Metabolism; Neoplasms; Patient monitoring; Venous thromboembolism.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest JLP: Has received a research Grant from GESCAT-Grupo de Estudos de Cancro e Trombose, payment for educational events from LEO Pharma and support for attending meetings from Sanofi, Pfizer and LEO Pharma. VT: Is a PhD scholarship holder (Grant reference: 2020.08969. BD) supported by Fundaç ão para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), co-financed by European Social Funds (FSE) and national funds of MCTES. The study funder had no role in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish it. JMOS: Is a PhD scholarship holder (Grant reference: SFRH/BD/135871/2018) supported by Fundaç ão para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), co-financed by European Social Funds (FSE) and national funds of MCTES. The study funder had no role in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish it. AA: Has participated in the Advisory Board of Merch, IPSEN and Roche, and these institutions have received payment/honoraria for lectures, presentations, speakers’ bureaus, manuscript writing and educational events from Eli Lilly Oncology, Pfizer and Janssen, respectively. He has received support for attending meetings from Janssen, Pfizer and Servier. AAK: His institution received a contract from National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NIH). He has received consulting fees from Janssen, Bayer, Pfizer, Sanofi, Anthos and BMS and he has participated in the Advisory Board of BMS. The remaining authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

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