Common anticoagulant drug as a breakthrough in fight against cancer growth and the associated complications

A collaborative study between two PhD students in the Biomedical Section has appeared on the cover of the September edition of the prestigious journal Thrombosis and Haemostasis and also has been attributed an editorial by the chief editor. This breakthrough study has for the first time shown that the common oral anticoagulant Apixaban is capable of preventing tumour growth and cancer-associated complications. Apixaban, sold under the trade name “Eliquis”, is an oral anticoagulant used to treat and prevent blood clots and to prevent stroke in people with atrial fibrillation. The journal is currently ranked 3rd in the field of coagulation, haemostasis and thrombosis. The editor has commented: "The thoroughly conducted study by Featherby et al[2] adds a new layer to the coagulation–cancer cell connection by highlighting the role of FVIIa both for the release of TF+ microvesicles (MVs) and for tumor cell proliferation, as well as the inhibition of these effects by distinct direct oral anticoagulants."

The two PhD researchers Yahaya Madkhali and Sophie Featherby, jointly demonstrated the unique efficacy of Apixaban in vitro, which is distinct to a number of other common anticoagulants, and they have identified the underlying mechanism. This study further builds on the work published from our research group in March 2019, which also shows the ability of Apixaban to reduce tumour growth in vivo.

This study was initiated in 2016-17 and although funding was declined by UoH, it was later funded Bristol-Meyer-Squibb which included the funding for Sophie, as well as the cost of the consumables. Yahya is currently awarded a PhD studentship from the government of KSA. The two researchers carried out this study as a collaborative endeavour and have already presented their work at a number of international meetings, the most esteemed being the 27th conference of International Society for Thrombosis and Homeostasis (Melbourne, Australia, July 2019). Both researchers have produced multiple publications in 2019.