Cardiotoxicity of tyrosine-kinase-targeting drugs

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cardiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Targeted therapies, particularly tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), represent significant advancements in cancer treatment.
• Drugs like imatinib and trastuzumab have revolutionized chronic myeloid leukemia and breast cancer therapy, respectively.
• The increasing use of targeted therapies necessitates a thorough understanding of their potential side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize current knowledge on the cardiotoxicity associated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).
• To highlight the importance of recognizing and managing cardiac adverse events in patients receiving targeted cancer therapies.
• To emphasize the need for early detection of cardiotoxicity to prevent irreversible myocardial injury.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on targeted therapies and their cardiac effects.
• Analysis of clinical trial data regarding cardiotoxicity endpoints and left ventricular function assessment.
• Synthesis of information on the mechanisms and clinical presentation of TKI-induced cardiotoxicity.

Main Results:

• Certain targeted therapies, including TKIs, are associated with cardiotoxicity, ranging from asymptomatic dysfunction to heart failure.
• The precise rates of TKI-associated cardiotoxicity are often unknown due to limitations in clinical trial design.
• Diagnosing heart failure can be challenging in cancer patients due to overlapping symptoms like dyspnea.

Conclusions:

• Awareness of TKI-induced cardiotoxicity is essential for oncologists and cardiologists.
• Early detection and prompt treatment of cardiotoxicity can mitigate myocardial damage.
• Proactive cardiac monitoring is crucial, particularly in young cancer patients with long-term survival expectations.