Risk, management of VTE in bevacizumab-treated colorectal cancer

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

Risk of venous thromboembolisms (VTEs) in patients with cancer can be high, according to researchers in British Columbia, Canada. This patient population is already predisposed to prothrombotic states.

The researchers assessed the incidence of VTEs in a cohort of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who were treated with bevacizumab.

Using a cohort of 499 evaluable patients, the researchers found 81 patients developed VTEs after receiving bevacizumab, and nine patients experienced more than one event. Those patients who experienced VTEs were more likely to have pre-existing cardiovascular diseases, resection of the primary cancer, high pre-chemotherapy platelet count, and received more than 12 bevacizumab cycles. 

The researchers conclude the risk of VTEs can be high in patients receiving bevacizumab, especially in those with specific pretreatment risk factors and in those who received more of the drug.