Introduction:
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is widely used in sports medicine, tissue repair and general
surgery. Recent meta-analyses showed this product to be beneficial when introduced
into a wound area and a recent analysis by this study group showed significant benefit
in oncological patients with the treatment of subcutaneous venous access device scars.
This work is a follow-up analysis focusing on oncological safety. There is currently
no data available on PRP products in oncological patients.
Methods:
Between the years of 2012 and 2016 port (venous-access device) removal was supported
with the application Arthrex ACP® – a PRP product in order to improve the healing
process. All surgeries were performed in the breast-cancer center of the municipal
hospital of Cologne, Holweide, Germany. N = 35 patients received an application of
Arthrex ACP® after port removal compared to the control group n = 54. Endpoints were
local, ipsilateral, contralateral and distant recurrence as well as any-cause death.
Results:
The median follow-up was 45 months. Oncological safety was given for all patients.
PRP does not seem to have a negative oncological impact. No (0) events were shown
for cancer recurrence within the subcutaneous venous access device scar area. Thus,
there seems to be no local oncogenic potential of the PRP product. All other recurrence
endpoints as well as any-cause death favor PRP use as well.
Conclusions:
PRP products such as Arthrex ACP® seem to be safe to use in oncological patients.
This is the only oncological safety data available to this date.
