Relationship between Factor v Leiden mutation and venous thromboembolism in patients with breast cancer treated with tamoxifen

摘要

A recently published study by our group in Thrombosis Research [1 ] showed clustering of thrombosis in patients with breast cancer initiating tamoxifen and identified potential contributory factors including older age, higher body mass index, higher cancer stage and concurrent diabetes, in addition to tamoxifen. Dr. Eroglu published a letter validating observation of early clustering of venous thromboembolism (VTE) within the window of tamoxifen initiation, and further suggested that Factor V Leiden (FVL) is the most heritable factor predisposing patients to VTE [2]. Based on his letter, we analyzed available data relative to FVL status of patients from two of our studies, the one referenced in Dr. Eroglu's letter and another paper recently accepted for publication in Clinical Medicine and Research [3].