Rivaroxaban for cancer-associated venous thromboembolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

BACKGROUND: All cancers increase developing venous thromboembolism risk, and VTE is the second-leading cause of death among cancer patients. The anticoagulant drugs are considered to be the optimal treatment for patients with cancer-associated VTE. However, there is still controversy whether rivaroxaban, a new oral anticoagulant, can lead to better outcomes globally. METHODS: We will search PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and China National Knowledge Infrastructure for relevant published studies before 1 September, 2019, without any language restrictions. Only published randomized controlled trials that meet the inclusion criteria will be included. Subgroup analysis of the type of cancer, the type of VTE, cancer stage, age, sex, ethnicity, history of smoking and drinking as well as the mean, dose and duration of anticoagulants will be performed. DISCUSSION: Our study aims to estimate the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban for patients with cancer-associated VTE and to provide recommendations to key stakeholders. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO, October 23, 2019, CRD42019143265, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=143265.