Purpose: Several reports suggest that cisplatin is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism. However, because the excess risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) with cisplatin-based chemotherapy has not been well described, we conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluating the incidence and risk of VTEs associated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
Methods: PubMed was searched for articles published from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 2010. Eligible studies included prospective randomized phase II and III trials evaluating cisplatin-based versus non-cisplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with solid tumors. Data on all-grade VTEs were extracted. Study quality was calculated using Jadad scores. Incidence rates, relative risks (RRs), and 95% CIs were calculated using a random effects model.
Results: A total of 8,216 patients with various advanced solid tumors from 38 randomized controlled trials were included. The incidence of VTEs was 1.92% (95% CI, 1.07 to 2.76) in patients treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy and 0.79% (95% CI, 0.45 to 1.13) in patients treated with non-cisplatin-based regimens. Patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy had a significantly increased risk of VTEs (RR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.25 to 2.23; P = .01). Exploratory subgroup analysis revealed the highest RR of VTEs in patients receiving a weekly equivalent cisplatin dose > 30 mg/m(2) (2.71; 95% CI, 1.17 to 6.30; P = .02) and in trials reported during 2000 to 2010 (1.72; 95% CI, 1.27 to 2.34; P = .01).
Conclusion: Cisplatin is associated with a significant increase in the risk of VTEs in patients with advanced solid tumors when compared with non-cisplatin-based chemotherapy.