High dose calcitriol may reduce thrombosis in cancer patients

Br J Haematol. 2006 Nov;135(3):392-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2006.06322.x. Epub 2006 Sep 19.

Abstract

The incidence of venous and arterial thrombosis in a placebo-controlled randomised trial of DN-101 (high dose calcitriol) with docetaxel versus docetaxel was compared. Of the 13 thrombotic events observed in the 250 patients enroled in this study, two occurred in DN-101 and 11 in placebo-treated patients (P = 0.01). This difference remained significant after adjustment for baseline history of thrombosis, atrial fibrillation and use of anti-thrombotic agents. In vitro and vitamin D receptor (VDR) knockout mouse studies predict that nanomolar concentrations of calcitriol may act as an antithrombotic agent. We report the first clinical observation that supports this hypothesis in humans.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / administration & dosage
  • Arteries
  • Calcitriol / administration & dosage*
  • Docetaxel
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / complications*
  • Taxoids / administration & dosage
  • Thrombosis / prevention & control*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Venous Thrombosis / prevention & control

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Fibrinolytic Agents
  • Taxoids
  • Docetaxel
  • Calcitriol