Safety and Effectiveness of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Versus Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin for Cancer-Associated Thrombosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis - Summary - MDSpire

Safety and Effectiveness of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Versus Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin for Cancer-Associated Thrombosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

  • By

  • Wei Kang

  • Bowie P. Y. Lam

  • Rinko Tsz Lam Lau

  • Silvia T. H. Li

  • Kangrui Wu

  • Yue Wei

  • Yu Yang

  • Kyung Jin Lee

  • Caige Huang

  • Vincent K. C. Yan

  • Hei Hang Edmund Yiu

  • Shing Fung Lee

  • Aya El Helali

  • Victor H. F. Lee

  • Stephen L. Chan

  • Rina Y. M. Hui

  • Ka On Lam

  • Esther W. Chan

  • June 15, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To quantitatively analyze the overall safety and effectiveness of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) compared to low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) among patients with cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT).

Approach:
    Key Findings:
    • DOACs were associated with a significantly lower risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism compared to LMWH.
    • DOACs showed a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality in cohort studies, but not in randomized controlled trials.
    • Safety profiles of DOACs and LMWH were comparable, with no significant increase in major bleeding risk for DOACs.
    Interpretation:

    Limitations:
    • Variability in study design, follow-up periods, and outcome measurements contributed to heterogeneity.
    • RCTs referenced in guidelines may have been underpowered to detect certain clinical outcomes.
    Conclusion:

Original Source(s)

Safety and Effectiveness of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Versus Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin for Cancer-Associated Thrombosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

  • by Wei Kang, Bowie P. Y. Lam, Rinko Tsz Lam Lau, Silvia T. H. Li, Kangrui Wu, Yue Wei, Yu Yang, Kyung Jin Lee, Caige Huang, Vincent K. C. Yan, Hei Hang Edmund Yiu, Shing Fung Lee, Aya El Helali, Victor H. F. Lee, Stephen L. Chan, Rina Y. M. Hui, Ka On Lam, Esther W. Chan

  • June 15, 2026

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