Warfarin decreases incidence of VTE in Multiple Myeloma

Low-Dose Warfarin Decreases Incidence of Thalidomide-Associated Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Multiple Myeloma: Presented at EHA

Low dose warfarin (Coumadin) provides protection against thalidomide-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with multiple myeloma, according to results of a study presented at the European Hematology Association (EHA) in June.

For multiple myeloma, VTE remains a potential side-effect of thalidomide use, particularly when combined with other agents, such as dexamethasone and doxorubicin.

The prophylaxis treatment used against thalidomide-associated VTE was 1 mg warfarin for body weights <70 kg, and 2 mg warfarin for greater than or equal to 70 kg.

With the use of warfarin in these patients, 5 cases (6.6%) of VTE have been seen so far in this cohort. This represents a significant decrease in incidence when compared to historic controls, which have shown substantial increases in VTE occurrence (up to 26%) with the combination of thalidomide and other therapeutic agents.

Weight-adjusted, low-dose warfarin appears to be a convenient, patient-friendly, and cost-effective method for VTE prophylax, but requires confirmation through a randomised study.

[Presentation title: Low-Dose Warfarin Decreases the Incidence of Thalidomide (T)-Associated Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) in Patients (Pts) With Multiple Myeloma (MM). Abstract 0901]