Michał Sekuła

Dr. Michał Sekuła


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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10 March 2026 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MJMonika Jarowicz
Monika Jarowicz
MSMichał Sekuła
Michał Sekuła
WKWiktor Kociemba
Wiktor Kociemba
KPKatarzyna Polak
Katarzyna Polak
JTJoanna Taczała
Joanna Taczała
ABAnna Badowska-Kozakiewicz
Anna Badowska-Kozakiewicz
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly lethal malignancy linked to the highest rate of thromboembolic complications (TEC) among all solid tumors. TECs occur in approximately 5–40% of PC patients. The most common type of TEC in PC is venous thromboembolism (VTE). The mechanisms leading to frequent TEC in PC are complex and involve interactions between tumor-derived procoagulant factors and the prothrombotic tumor microenvironment (TME). Secretion of tissue factor and proinflammatory cytokines by tumor cells and the TME, overexpression of heparanase and podoplanin, impaired fibrynolysis and increased neutrophil extracellular trap formation lead to platelet hyperactivation resulting in hypercoagulability in PC. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for identifying risk factors of TEC. Current thromboembolism risk models have limited predictive accuracy, which reduces their clinical usefulness. Identifying patients with thromboembolism is challenging because these events are often asymptomatic and their clinical presentation varies depending on the location of the thrombus. Treatment of VTE in PC depends on the phase of the VTE; in the acute phase, treatment primarily involves LMWH. For long-term management, LMWH may be replaced by direct oral anticoagulants such as apixaban, edoxaban, or rivaroxaban. In cases of VTE recurrence, increasing the LMWH dose, switching to an oral anticoagulant, or placing an inferior vena cava filter should be considered. LWMH and unfractionated heparin (UFH) are preferred options for VTE prophylaxis. Novel therapies, including factor XI inhibitors, show efficacy comparable to LMWH while offering a better safety profile.