[Adverse cardiac effects associated with anticancer drugs]

Area of Science:

• Oncology and Cardiology
• Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Context:

• Recent advancements in cancer treatment involve novel protein kinase inhibitors, immunomodulators, and hormonal therapies.
• Traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy agents remain integral to cancer management strategies.
• Cardiotoxicity is a significant concern associated with various cancer therapeutics.

Purpose:

• To review the cardiotoxic effects of both novel and established cancer treatments.
• To highlight specific cardiac adverse events associated with different drug classes used in cancer therapy.

Summary:

• Newer cancer drugs like trastuzumab and kinase inhibitors, alongside traditional anthracyclines, can lead to heart failure, sometimes with delayed onset.
• Fluoropyrimidines may induce myocardial ischemia, while VEGF inhibitors frequently cause hypertension.
• Understanding these cardiac risks is crucial for patient management and monitoring during cancer treatment.

Impact:

• Informing oncologists and cardiologists about potential cardiac complications.
• Guiding clinical practice for safer and more effective cancer therapy.
• Improving patient outcomes by proactively managing treatment-related cardiotoxicity.