Does anti-clotting medication improve treatment results for patients with prostate cancer?

This study examined if lower numbers of platelets (blood cells involved in forming clots) and anti-clotting medications were associated with treatment results in patients with prostate cancer (PC). The authors found that lower numbers of platelets and anti-clotting medication were associated with higher treatment success.

Blood clots are formed when platelets in the blood accumulate. This can block blood vessels and lead to health complications. Some studies have shown that blood clots may also help cancer to spread.

PC is mostly found in older men who are more likely to have other health conditions requiring anti-clotting medications. Previous studies have shown that patients taking anti-clotting medications have better treatment results. Some patients naturally have low platelet numbers. More information is needed to understand how platelets are involved in treatment results for patients with PC.

Data from 482 patients with PC were examined. All patients had received radiotherapy (RT). Patients' results were available for an average of 103 months after treatment. 32% of patients were also taking anti-clotting medication (ACM).

Patients were 44% more likely to have no signs of cancer after taking ACM.  After 10 years, 84% of patients receiving ACM had no signs of PC compared to 73% of patients not taking ACM. Patients were 69% more likely to have no spread of cancer after taking ACM. Cancer did not spread to other body regions in 95% of patients taking ACM and 91% of patients not receiving ACM.

Patients were defined as having low platelet numbers when below 187,000 platelets/μL. Patients were 2.84 times more likely to have no signs of PC with low platelet numbers. After 10 years, 81% of patients with low platelets had no signs of PC compared to 61% of patients who had higher platelet numbers.  Patients were 2.6 times more likely to have no spread of cancer with low platelet numbers. PC did not spread in 94% of patients with low platelets compared to 88% of patients with higher platelet numbers. After 10 years, 82% of patients with low platelets and 79% of patients with higher platelet numbers survived.

The authors concluded that patients with PC receiving RT with low platelet numbers had a better chance of treatment success.

This study used medical records data and so not all information was available, such as the dose and duration of ACM. This study only examined ACM so it is possible that other medications or factors influenced results.