Real-World Analysis of the Safety and Effectiveness of Apixaban Therapy in Cancer Patients with Venous Thromboembolism in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of apixaban in patients with cancer for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) at a tertiary medical institution in Saudi Arabia. Methods: An observational retrospective cohort study was conducted on adult patients with cancer who were diagnosed with VTE and received apixaban therapy from August 2016 to October 2020. Results: A total of 478 patients were screened; 99 patients were included in the final analysis. Of those included, 38 (38%) were female, 74 (77.1%) had a solid tumor, and 36 (36.4%) were receiving apixaban therapy due to developing proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and the mean age was 58.59 (±14.77). At six months, thrombotic events occurred in 11 patients (11.1%), and bleeding events occurred in 14 (14.1%) of the included individuals. Mortality occurred in 9 (9.09%) of the included individuals. Close to 32% individuals discontinued apixaban therapy at six months. Conclusion: The prevalence of recurrent VTE and bleeding events in patients with cancer using apixaban for treating VTE is in line with many other real-world studies but slightly higher compared to the patients enrolled in the Apixaban for the Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism Associated with Cancer (CARAVAGGIO) trial.