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Venous ThromboembolismPhase 3PHACSNCT00876915

A Study of Dalteparin Prophylaxis in High-Risk Ambulatory Cancer Patients

A Phase 3 study testing dalteparin injection in people with Venous Thromboembolism and Pulmonary Embolism, run by University of Rochester at 7 sites in 2 countries.

Terminated

Stopped early. The study ended before it was planned to and will not resume.

Official record
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Trial summary

Some cancer patients starting a new chemotherapy regimen are likely to develop blood clots, also known as venous thromboembolism (VTE). Blood clots can cause symptoms and can occasionally be life-threatening. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Venous Thromboembolism, Pulmonary Embolism
What is being tested?
dalteparin injection
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
218 participants
Where
7 sitesin 2 countries
Study dates
Jul 2009to Dec 2014
Phase
Phase 3
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • A histologic diagnosis of malignancy;
  • At planned initiation of a new systemic chemotherapy regimen (including patients starting on first chemotherapy or patients previously treated but starting on a new regimen);
  • A risk score for VTE ≥3 [assign score of 2 for very high risk sites of cancer (stomach, pancreas), score of 1 for high risk site (lung, lymphoma, gynecologic, bladder, testicular) and score of 0 for all other sites], hemoglobin <10 g/dL or planned use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents, platelet count ≥350,000/mm3, total leukocyte count > 11,000/mm3 or body mass index ≥ 35 kg/m2]. Any counts meeting criteria drawn within 2 weeks prior to enrollment are considered acceptable.
  • Age 18 years or older
  • Provide written, informed consent.

Who cannot join

  • Active bleeding or at high risk of serious bleeding complication in the opinion of the investigator
  • Diagnosis of primary brain tumor multiple myeloma, leukemia, or myelodysplastic syndrome
  • Planned stem cell transplant
  • Life expectancy < 6 months
  • Known allergy to heparin or LMWH
  • Patient or caregiver incapable of daily self-injection
Show all 12Show fewer
  • Acute or chronic renal insufficiency with creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min
  • History of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
  • Allergy to contrast agents
  • Pregnancy
  • Need for anticoagulant therapy
  • Platelet count < 75,000/mm3

Trial locations and contacts

7 sites in 2 countries.

7 sites in 2 countries

United States6 sites
  • Roswell Park Cancer Institute

    Buffalo, New York, 14263

  • Cleveland Clinic

    Cleveland, Ohio, 44195

  • Duke University School of Medicine

    Durham, North Carolina, 27705

  • Rochester General Hospital

    Rochester, New York, 14621

  • University of Rochester Medical Center

    Rochester, New York, 14642

  • University of California, Davis

    Sacramento, California, 95817

Other trials in United States

Canada1 site
  • Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI)

    Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6

Other trials in Canada

About this study

Official title: A Prospective Randomized Multicenter Study of Dalteparin Prophylaxis in High-Risk Ambulatory Cancer Patients

Some cancer patients starting a new chemotherapy regimen are likely to develop blood clots, also known as venous thromboembolism (VTE). Blood clots can cause symptoms and can occasionally be life-threatening. The purpose of this study is to determine if a daily injection of a blood-thinner, dalteparin, for 12 weeks can safely and effectively reduce the frequency of blood clots. Dalteparin is currently approved for prevention of blood clots following surgery and in hospitalized patients but not specifically for cancer outpatients.

Read the detailed description

VTE is an increasingly frequent complication of cancer and anti-cancer therapies. It is associated with increased mortality and other significant adverse consequences. Risk factors for VTE in the cancer population have been identified, and multiple studies have also shown that VTE can be prevented in high-risk populations with the use of thromboprophylaxis. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of prophylaxis in a high-risk subgroup of cancer patients identified by a validated risk model developed by us previously called the "Khorana Score." Correlative studies evaluated the value of tissue factor as a predictive biomarker of VTE. The purpose of this study was to conduct a prospective, randomized clinical trial comparing the safety and efficacy of prophylaxis with dalteparin to no treatment in reducing VTE in high-risk ambulatory cancer patients initiating chemotherapy and to establish the value of TF as a predictive marker for VTE in ambulatory cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

PHACS was a randomized multi-center clinical trial. Eligible patients were enrolled and underwent baseline screening ultrasonography of the lower extremities to rule out pre-existing DVT and a chest CT scan to rule out PE. If negative, patients were then randomized to receive either dalteparin 5000 units subcutaneously daily or observation for a study period of 12 weeks. The first day of dalteparin prophylaxis coincided with the first day of initiation of a new systemic chemotherapy regimen. The patients were seen every 4 weeks (±1 week) at the time of regularly scheduled chemotherapy cycle visits for serial ultrasonography of lower extremities during study period (i.e. at 4, 8 and 12 weeks.) A chest CT scan was performed at 12 weeks. Compliance was measured by asking patients about missed doses at these 4-weekly visits as well as by asking patients to fill an injection diary.

Being tested
dalteparin injection
Keywords
prevention of VTE and PE in high risk cancer patients
Medical subject headings
Venous Thromboembolism, Pulmonary Embolism

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • dalteparin injectionDrug

    Also called Fragmin

    Potency is described in international anti-Xa units (IU). One unit (anti-Xa) of dalteparin sodium, average molecular weight 5,000, corresponds to the activity of one unit of the 1st International Standard for Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH)with respect to inhibition of coagulation Factor Xa in plasma utilizing the chromogenic peptide substrate S-2765 (N-alpha-Benzyloxycarbonyl-D-arginyl-glycyl-arginine-pNA.2HCl).

Study groups in NCT00876915
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
High Risk for VTE recieving dalteparinExperimentalPatients assigned at random to receive prophylactic dalteparin injections
Receives: Drug: dalteparin injection
High Risk for VTE No therapyNo interventionNo prophylactic therapy for VTE prevention given (Subjects receiving standard of care)
Low Risk for VTENo interventionUsed as a control for the secondary outcome of evaluating tissue factor in collected blood samples

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Percentage of Patients With Venous Thromboembolisms

    The percentage of patients who developed a Venous thromboembolism were recorded within 12 weeks following randomization including all adjudicated occurrences of symptomatic DVT, PE and upper extremity thrombus as well as all asymptomatic DVT and PE detected by lower extremity ultrasonography and chest CT.

    Measured: 12 weeks

  2. Percentage of Patients Who Experienced Clinically Significant Bleeding Events.

    The percentage of patients who experienced a clinically significant bleeding event were recorded (including major and clinically significant non-major bleeding) over 13 weeks (12 weeks of study and an additional week of observation). Major bleeding was defined as being clinically overt and satisfying one of the following: decrease in hemoglobin of 2.0 g/dL, leading to transfusion of 2 or more units of blood or packed red cells, occurring in a critical site (intraocular, spinal/epidural, intracranial, retroperitoneal, or pericardial) or leading to death. Clinically significant non-major bleeding was defined as clinically overt, not meeting criteria for major bleeding and with one of the following characteristics: multiple-source, spontaneous hematoma > 25 cm², epistaxis > 5 mins, macroscopic hematuria not related to instrumentation, spontaneous rectal bleeding, gingival bleeding > 5 mins, hemoptysis, hematemesis or prolonged bleeding (> 5 minutes) after venipuncture.

    Measured: 13 weeks

Secondary outcomes (6)
  1. The Value of Tissue Factor (TF) at Baseline Prior to Chemotherapy in Ambulatory Cancer Patients

    Blood samples were obtained to measure the value of Tissue Factor at baseline compared between high risk for VTE and low risk for VTE ambulatory cancer patients.

    Measured: baseline value of tissue factor

  2. The Value of D-Dimer at Baseline Prior to Chemotherapy in Ambulatory Cancer Patients

    Blood samples were obtained to measure the value of D-Dimer at baseline compared between high risk for VTE and low risk for VTE ambulatory cancer patients

    Measured: baseline value of D-Dimer

  3. The Value of Human F12 at Baseline Prior to Chemotherapy in Ambulatory Cancer Patients

    Blood samples were obtained to measure the value of Human F12 at baseline compared between high risk for VTE and low risk for VTE ambulatory cancer patients

    Measured: baseline value of Human F12

  4. The Value of Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI) at Baseline Prior to Chemotherapy in Ambulatory Cancer Patients

    Blood samples were obtained to measure the value of TFPI at baseline compared between high risk for VTE and low risk for VTE ambulatory cancer patients

    Measured: baseline value of TFPI

  5. The Value of Factor VIIa (FVIIa) at Baseline Prior to Chemotherapy in Ambulatory Cancer Patients

    Blood samples were obtained to measure the value of FVIIa at baseline compared between high risk for VTE and low risk for VTE ambulatory cancer patients

    Measured: baseline value of FVIIa

  6. The Value of Thrombin Antithrombin (TAT) at Baseline Prior to Chemotherapy in Ambulatory Cancer Patients

    Blood samples were obtained to measure the value of TAT at baseline compared between high risk for VTE and low risk for VTE ambulatory cancer patients

    Measured: baseline value of TAT

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted7 Apr 2009 (estimated)
  2. Study startJul 2009
  3. Primary completionJul 2014
  4. Study completionDec 2014

Why it stopped: slow enrollment and lack of continuing funds

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
218 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT00876915
Sponsor's protocol ID
25387
Other IDs
1R01HL095109-01
Acronym
PHACS
Status last verified
Oct 2015
First submitted
31 Mar 2009
Last updated
24 Nov 2015
Data monitoring committee
Yes

Publications

  • Rutjes AW, Porreca E, Candeloro M, Valeriani E, Di Nisio M. Primary prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism in ambulatory cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Dec 18;12(12):CD008500. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008500.pub5.

    PubMed 33337539
  • Khorana AA, Francis CW, Kuderer NM, Carrier M, Ortel TL, Wun T, Rubens D, Hobbs S, Iyer R, Peterson D, Baran A, Kaproth-Joslin K, Lyman GH. Dalteparin thromboprophylaxis in cancer patients at high risk for venous thromboembolism: A randomized trial. Thromb Res. 2017 Mar;151:89-95. doi: 10.1016/j.thromres.2017.01.009. Epub 2017 Jan 26.

    PubMed 28139259

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 3 study testing dalteparin injection in people with Venous Thromboembolism and Pulmonary Embolism, run by University of Rochester at 7 sites in 2 countries.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 12 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Nov 2015. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 7 sites in United States, Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 12 Oct 2015). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Percentage of Patients With Venous Thromboembolisms (time frame: 12 weeks). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00876915, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Nov 2015.

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