RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Thromboembolic events associated with lenalidomide. A review after the EMA alert
JF European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy: Science and Practice
JO Eur J Hosp Pharm
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP 109
OP 109
DO 10.1136/ejhpharm-2012-000074.63
VO 19
IS 2
A1 R. Rodriguez-Carrero
A1 I. Zapico
A1 V. Ortoll-Polo
A1 P. Puente
YR 2012
UL http://ejhp.bmj.com/content/19/2/109.1.abstract
AB Background Lenalidomide is an immunomodulator agent authorised in 2007 by EMA for treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), also used as off-label treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome (MS). In December 2010 EMA communicated the association between lenalidomide and an increased risk of arterial and venous thromboembolic events (AVTEs), recommending the administration of antithrombotic prophylaxis (AP) and to avoid erythropoietic agents, especially when other risk factors (RFs) were present. Purpose To assess the incidence of AVTEs and the presence of RFs in patients treated with lenalidomide. To assess treatments with lenalidomide in relation to the EMA's warning. Materials and methods Observational retrospective study involving the treatments with lenalidomide started between May 2008 and September 2010 in a regional hospital. Results Sixteen patients required lenalidomide, 14 with MM and 2 with MS. Male/female ratio was 8/8, with a median age of 68.3 years (CI 95% 63.1 to 73.4). The average number of cycles administered per patient was six (2–21). The most frequent RFs were: administration of erythropoietic factors (93.8%), tobacco smoking (75.0%) and prior thrombosis (68.8%). More than 85% of patients had at least two RF. The mean value of maximum haemoglobin levels (Hb) was 12.5 g/dl (CI 95% 11.0 to 14.0). 81.3% of patients received AP with low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) or oral anticoagulants. In this period, three AVTEs occurred (during the second, third and seventh cycle, respectively). These cases presented between three and four RFs but none had Hb>13 g/dl. One of these patients had not previously received AP and the treatment with LMWH was started after the AVTE. Treatment with erythropoietic factors was not discontinued in any case. Lenalidomide treatment was spaced out in one case and stopped in another one. Conclusions All the patients presented thromboembolism risk factors and most received antithrombotic prophylaxis. The relation between the number of risk factors and thromboembolism events was not found, probably due to the limited size of the population.