Antiphospholipid antibodies and malignancies

Since the 1980s it is known that an important thrombogenic mechanism is mediated by antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Aim of this review is to discuss how much aPL presence may worsen the thrombophilic state of neoplastic patients and how much cancer may worsen and extend the thrombophilic state of patients with Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS). In the last years a higher prevalence of aPL was observed in patients with solid tumors compared to controls. These patients, already at higher risk of thrombosis, may have a still higher risk when aPL carriers. Those with a solid malignancy seem to be more likely to have a thrombotic event compared to patients with a hematological disorder. On the other hand aPL presence may be a risk factor for malignancies (particularly hematological). Even if the significance of aPL and cancer relationship has to be further investigated, clinicians should remember that in neoplastic patients aPL presence can increase thromboembolic risk and in healthy carriers can increase the possibility of developing a malignancy.