Apixaban and rivaroxaban offered a safer bleeding profile, including lower risks of overall bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage, compared to LMWH in patients with cancer-associated VTE.
Observational
Yes
Do direct oral anticoagulants (apixaban, rivaroxaban) reduce bleeding compared to low-molecular-weight heparin in patients with venous thromboembolism and cancer?
Real-world evidence supports DOACs (apixaban and rivaroxaban) as safe alternatives to LMWH for patients with cancer-associated VTE, with potentially lower bleeding risks.
These findings suggest that apixaban may offer a safer bleeding profile than LMWH for patients with cancer-associated VTE, particularly in reducing overall and other types of bleeding. Rivaroxaban also appears to be a viable alternative to LMWH, with a notably lower risk of ICH. These results provide valuable real-world insights in an area where evidence remains very limited and support the role of DOACs as a safe alternative to LMWH in patients with VTE and cancer.
Brodin et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Venous thromboembolism and cancer. Direct oral anticoagulants (apixaban, rivaroxaban) vs. Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) was evaluated on Bleeding profile (overall bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage). Apixaban and rivaroxaban offered a safer bleeding profile, including lower risks of overall bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage, compared to LMWH in patients with cancer-associated VTE.