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Background; Ovarian cancer is associated with a high incidence of thromboembolism, and it has been suggested
that the mechanisms, particularly when apoptosis is induced by chemotherapy, share common underpinnings
with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) -associated thromboembolism. A clinical study was conducted to elucidate
the expression of antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) in patients undergoing various treatment steps.
Methods; Fifteen patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer, primary peritoneal cancer, or fallopian tube cancer
were prospectively and consecutively enrolled to measure lupus anticoagulants, anti-cardiolipin antibodies, and anti-
PS/PT antibodies. The observational period for thrombotic events after blood sampling ranged from 5 to 13 months.
Results; Six patients received systemic chemotherapy as neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy before blood sampling;
four patients had thromboembolic diseases, including cerebral infarction; and four patients had clear cell carcinoma.
None of the patients showed aPL, regardless of chemotherapy induction. Univariate analysis showed no
major clinical characteristics (advanced age, history of thromboembolisms, clear cell carcinoma, large tumor diameter,
high body mass index, and advanced FIGO stage) that correlated with thrombosis, while the histological
subtype of clear cell carcinoma was associated with elevated plasma D-dimer levels above 8.45 mg/L (P=0.03).
Conclusions; Based on this pilot study with a limited number of patients, ovarian cancer and its treatment may
have no direct association with the induction of APS or aPL, regardless of the clinicopathological background or
induction of chemotherapy with cytotoxic agents. Further research in this area is warranted.
