Hemostatic changes after 1 month of thalidomide and dexamethasone therapy in patients with multiple myeloma

Thromboembolic events (TEE) are a serious clinical problem in multiple myeloma (MM) patients receiving thalidomide (T). Thirty-one MM patients were tested on diagnosis and after 2 and 4 weeks of therapy with T alone, or T in combination with dexamethasone (TD). Closure time (CT) in PFA-100 and P-selectin expression were assessed, as well as plasma levels of thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT), D-dimer (DD), soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) and von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag), along with the activity of coagulation factor VII and factor VIII. The concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor and its type 1 and 2 receptors were also assayed. On diagnosis, significantly prolonged median CT with both used cartridges, elevated P-selectin expression, DD concentration, TAT, vWF:Ag and factor VIII and factor VII activity were seen in the patient group as compared to controls. Therapy with these regimens caused marked shortening of CT with both cartridges. Treatment with TD leads to the significant increase in CD62P expression on platelets. Median TAT value increased significantly in relation to baseline after therapy with both regimens. Factor VIII activity exceeded 150 % in all patients after 2 weeks of TD therapy and was markedly elevated compared to baseline. One month of TD therapy significantly increased sTM concentration. These results demonstrate the enhanced platelet and coagulation system activation already present in MM patients on diagnosis, which is further increased by antimyeloma therapy. These changes are more pronounced after TD therapy and may promote TEE. Tested angiogenesis marker levels are elevated already on diagnosis, do not change after therapy and have no significant impact on the coagulation system in patients with MM.