Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Neoplastic Patients

Background: Anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune systemic disease characterized by the persistent presence of anti-phospholipid antibodies (APA) and the occurrence of thrombotic events. Nowadays, the association between specific antibodies for anionic phospholipids with thrombotic events and other main clinical manifestations is well-recognized as "antiphospholipid syndrome". The present study was done to evaluate the frequency of antiphospholipid antibodies in neoplastic patients.

Material and methods: One hundred and eighty patients were included in this cross sectional study. Their suspected neoplasm disorders were confirmed by pathology or flowcytometry. History taking and clinical examination were done for patients to detect all symptomatic clinical thrombotic events. Antiphospholipid antibodies were tested for all patients.

Results: The study was concluded with 156 study samples. Thirty three patients (21.2%) had antiphospholipid antibodies. There was no significant difference on antiphospholipid antibodies frequency between two genders. APA frequency showed no significant difference between solid or non-solid tumors. The rate of thrombosis was significantly higher in neoplastic patients with antiphospholipid antibodies.

Conclusion: Frequency of antiphospholipid antibodies was significantly higher in neoplastic patients. Antiphospholipid antibodies were one of the multifactorial accelerating factors for thrombotic events in neoplastic patients.