Enoxaparin Versus Aspirin in Patients With Cancer and Stroke

Any adult patient with active systemic cancer diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke at the main MSKCC campus or any of MSKCC's New York City outpatient centers within the prior two weeks would be eligible.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 to 85 years of age.
• Active cancer, defined as a pathologic diagnosis of or treatment for any cancer, other than basal-cell or squamous-cell carcinoma of the skin, within the past six months; or patients with known recurrent or metastatic disease within the past six months.
• First-ever acute ischemic stroke within the prior two weeks, defined as a new neurologic deficit(s) with MRI evidence of acute ischemia in a referable location, and no clinical or radiologic indication of a non-cerebrovascular mimic, such as a brain metastasis, as the etiology of the deficit(s).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to get brain MRI
• Known malignant primary brain tumor.
• Known brain metastases from a systemic cancer.
• Active or serious bleeding within two weeks of enrollment.
• Patient condition associated with a high risk of bleeding such as recent surgery or peptic ulcer disease.
• Clear indication for anticoagulation (e.g., atrial fibrillation) anticipated during the study period.
• Clear indication for antiplatelet agents (e.g., cardiac stents); a patient receiving aspirin for primary prevention prior to index stroke may be enrolled as long as study investigators believe it would be safe for the patient to stop aspirin if the patient was randomized to the enoxaparin arm.
• Active bleeding diathesis.
• Platelet count of ≤ 70,000/mm3, an international normalized ratio (INR) > 1.6, or a partial thromboplastin time (PTT) > 40 seconds.
• Known allergy to heparin or aspirin or a history of heparin induced thrombocytopenia.
• Serum creatinine > 2 mg/dl.
• AST or ALT > 200 U/L.
• Hemoglobin < 8 gm/dl
• Symptomatic carotid stenosis.
• Active pregnancy.
• Life expectancy < 1 month or current hospice care
• Unavailability for follow-up.