Charles V. Pollack, MD, has an extensive background in addressing blood clots and arterial thrombosis events. Recent clinical research at the Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital in Bergamo, Italy, reveals that strokes, heart attacks, and other arterial thrombosis events increase risks of cancer diagnosis years later. Interviewed by Cure in May, 2025, foundation scientific director and hematology professor Dr. Tiziano Barbui described research comparing those who developed solid tumors with a control group who did not develop cancer.
The researchers examined patient history prior to cancer diagnosis, finding that those who had strokes and, in certain cases, myocardial infarctions, had a significantly higher rate of cancer diagnosis five to seven years on. Though initial arterial thrombosis diagnosis was unrelated to existing cancer, having such events heightened long term risks of cancer.
Barbui led a followup study that pinpointed the trend as being particularly pronounced in younger patients. He singled out potential causes in chronic inflammation related to conditions such as polycythemia, and genetic mutations such as JAK2. The latter is a Janus kinase, one of a family of four proteins critical in developing blood cells and regulating one’s immune system.
JAK molecules within the blood cell interact with structures known as receptors. The latter are found on the surface of immune system and blood cells, and protrude through the cell membrane. Activated JAKs mediatE between red blood cell and platelet growth factors. They facilitate transcriptions, or the turning on of genes implicated in cell growth and survival.
When genes mutate, stem cells receive instructions telling them to continue dividing and multiplying in an uncontrolled way. Unchecked JAK-STAT pathway activation may lead to myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), a rare type of blood cancer. Those with MPN lack proper regulatory function and as a result the bone marrow produces too many platelets, red blood cells, and/or white blood cells. The excess blood cells create a logjam in the bloodstream or bone marrow, impacting blood flow.
A chronic disease, MPN encompasses various conditions with symptoms such as bone pain, fatigue, night sweats, fever, and itching. The increased risks associated by arterial thrombosis are particularly elevated among those who smoke or have diabetes.
The Italian study documented a similar pattern as the US-based REVEAL study, which linked arterial thrombosis to the development of myelofibrosis. Published in Blood Cancer Journal (April, 2024), the paper “Age-stratified analysis reveals arterial thrombosis as a predictor for gender-related second cancers in myeloproliferative neoplasms: a case-control study” reveals a positive connection between arterial thrombosis and MPN. The researchers note that population-based studies have long shown a link between stroke and myocardial infarction, and age-adjusted cancer incidence.
They describe the gene mutations associated with MPNs as elevating risks of compromised tumor immune surveillance and premature atherosclerosis. In addition, associated states of hyper-inflammation help MPNs progress and develop into solid tumors. Myelofibrosis is an independent risk factor for cancer, for reasons having to do with blood monocytosis, or an abnormally high monocyte white blood cell count. In sum, arterial thrombosis events, such as those researched and treated by Charles V. Pollack, MD, have the potential to increase risks of future cancer.
