ticagrelor and Colonic-Neoplasms

The role of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents in tumour growth and prognosis is not new, and currently under intense investigation. Some randomised data strongly suggest that this association exists, but it is complex, and not necessarily pointed at the same direction. The potential mechanisms responsible for such harmful association include a direct hazard of novel antithrombotics on cancer, indirect promotion of tumour growth, easier metastatic dissemination due to instability of platelet-tumour cell aggregates, or/and inability to keep cancer cells locally in situ are considered. The latest randomised evidence ultimately rejected the drug-specific cancer risks, clearly indicating the class-effect. In lay terms "cancers follow bleeding", which seems to be true for antithrombotic agents in general. Significant excess of solid cancers which was similar after prasugrel in TRITON, and with vorapaxar in TRACER trials was confirmed by the FDA reviews. Later, extra cancer deaths reported following clopidogrel and prasugrel in DAPT, and after ticagrelor in PEGASUS are also of concern. However, there are remaining controversies with regard to published cancer risks after ticagrelor (PLATO), or another vorapaxar trial (TRA2P), while full disclosure of separate clopidogrel and prasugrel cancer data in DAPT is still lacking. In short, if we apply moderate antiplatelet strategies for over two years, or aggressive regimens including triple therapy for much less than one year, the solid cancer risks emerge. Currently, more delicate platelet inhibition, and shorter exposure to dual oral antiplatelet agents should prevail.

Topics: Adenosine; Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents; Aspirin; Blood Platelets; Carcinogenicity Tests; Clopidogrel; Colonic Neoplasms; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Lactones; Male; Mice; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Experimental; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Prasugrel Hydrochloride; Pyridines; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Rivaroxaban; Sex Factors; Species Specificity; Ticagrelor; Ticlopidine; Time Factors

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) remains the cornerstone management for the prevention of acute stent thrombosis after percutaneous intervention (PCI). Situations mandating early interruption of DAPT carry a high risk of ischemic complications. Perioperative bridge therapy using Cangrelor, an intravenous P2Y2 inhibitor, may offer a potential solution. Unfortunately, evidence for its use in non-cardiac procedures is limited.. Our protocol demonstrates successful off-label use of IV Cangrelor bridge therapy in a non-cardiac surgery patient. We describe a case of a 77-year old male; triple therapy with Aspirin, Apixaban, and Ticagrelor for recent drug-eluting stent placement required immediate surgical resection of stage I colonic adenocarcinoma.. Cangrelor bridge therapy was utilized both preoperatively and postoperatively without ischemic or bleeding complications. The patient tolerated exploratory laparoscopic colectomy with minimal bleeding and good post-op recovery.. Minimizing the interruption of DAPT therapy in high-risk patients is achievable. However, careful planning with a team-based approach involving surgeons, cardiologists and pharmacists, along with close clinical follow-up and vigilant management of anti-platelet therapy is recommended.

Topics: Adenosine Monophosphate; Aged; Aspirin; Colectomy; Colonic Neoplasms; Drug-Eluting Stents; Factor Xa Inhibitors; Humans; Male; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists; Pyrazoles; Pyridones; Thrombosis; Ticagrelor