Study of urinary 11-dehydrothromboxane B2 as a marker of thromboembolic state in childhood hematological malignancies

Most of the available information regarding the effects of cancer on haemostatic system is derived from studies in cancers prevalent in adult age group. Association of prothrombotic markers with thrombosis in pediatric oncology patients is conflicting. There is little agreement about the most useful tool for defining coagulability on cancer.Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the hypercoagulable state in childhood hematological malignancies by estimation of 11 dehydro thrmboxane B2 in urine.Patients and methods: We obtained data on samples from 25 children with newly diagnosed hematological malignancies (15 patients with leukemia and 10 patients with lymphoma) and 10 healthy children age and sex matched as a control group. At the Hematology and Oncology Unit of Pediatric Department and Clinical Pathology Department, Zagazig University Hospital. Samples are obtained before and after 4 months from chemotherapy.Results: We found that there was statistical difference between the level of TX/creatinine ratio in cancer patients before chemotherapy and control group which indicates the presence of hypercoagulability among cancer patients. but after 4 months from induction of chemotherapy, there were decrease in both TX/creatinine ratio and D-dimer level which indicates improvement of the condition as a consequence of stability of the disease itself and other factors related to the protocols of TT.Conclusion: thrombosis is a frequent complication in children with hematological malignancies. Data on the reduction in thrombotic events rate when Asparaginase is given for short period and when dexamethasone is given instead of prednisone are significant and should be supported by larger clinical studies.