Thromboembolism risk in patients diagnosed with EGFR- and ALK-mutant lung adenocarcinoma

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), related risk factors for VTE, and the effect of VTE on overall survival in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene mutations. The study included patients older than 18 years of age who were diagnosed with histologically proven locally advanced or advanced-stage adenocarcinoma and were followed in our center between January 2014 and December 2019. These patients were divided into two groups: one comprising mutation-positive individuals and the other mutation-negative individuals. We examined factors influencing the occurrence of VTE, assessed the incidence of VTE, and compared the differences in overall survival. Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the independent predictors of VTE were the number of metastases (Hazard ratio [HR]: 3.784; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.198 &ndash; 6.515; P < 0.001) and the presence of EGFR exon 21 mutations (HR: 2.386; 95% CI: 1.276 &ndash; 4.462; P = 0.006). However, in multivariate analysis, only the number of comorbidities was associated with an increased risk for VTE (HR: 3.462; 95% CI: 1.977 &ndash; 6.060; P < 0.001). It is essential to consider the risk of VTE development in patients with EGFR exon 21 mutation-positive lung adenocarcinoma. Physicians should be vigilant in terms of screening, prophylaxis, and follow-up for underlying VTE in these patients.