Reportedly, patients with cancer have an increased risk (four- to seven-fold) of developing thrombotic events (TEs) compared with healthy volunteers. Multiple myeloma (MM) is one of the neoplasms that exhibit a high incidence of TEs, and approximately 10% patients with MM develop TEs during their clinical courses. The underlying risk factors of TEs are classified into patient-, disease-, and treatment-related factors. Specific treatment-related risk factors comprise the use of immunomodulatory drugs combined with dexamethasone. As the occurrence of TE in patients hampers the treatment for MM itself, which results in unfavorable outcomes, elucidating TE pathogenesis and adequate prophylaxis for each patient are essential to prevent MM-related TEs.
Keywords: IMiDs; Multiple myeloma; Thrombosis; Venous thromboembolism.