Cardiotoxicity of Anticancer Therapeutics

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cardiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Cancer therapeutics have advanced, increasing focus on treatment-related adverse effects.
• Cardiotoxicity is a significant concern, manifesting as hypertension, heart failure, and left ventricular dysfunction.
• Current cancer treatments like tyrosine kinase inhibitors, anthracycline chemotherapy, and immunotherapy can lead to endothelial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species generation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the growing importance of posttreatment follow-ups in cancer care.
• To emphasize the need for balancing treatment effectiveness with minimizing cardiovascular toxicity.
• To underscore the increasing prevalence and significance of understanding cardiotoxicity mechanisms and prevention.

Main Methods:

• Review of contemporary cancer treatment modalities and their associated cardiotoxic mechanisms.
• Discussion of evolving strategies for monitoring and managing cardiovascular complications.
• Exploration of early detection methods including biomarkers and magnetic resonance imaging.
• Consideration of interventions to reverse cardiotoxic damage and psychological assessments.

Main Results:

• Anticancer agents can induce cardiotoxicity through various mechanisms, including DNA replication interference and immune responses.
• Cardiovascular complications are increasingly recognized as critical side effects of cancer therapy.
• There is a growing emphasis on integrated approaches for managing cardiotoxicity, involving monitoring, early detection, and therapeutic interventions.

Conclusions:

• Effective cancer treatment requires careful consideration of cardiovascular risks.
• Proactive monitoring, early detection, and targeted interventions are essential for mitigating cancer treatment-induced cardiotoxicity.
• A comprehensive understanding of individual risk factors is vital for personalized prevention strategies against cardiotoxicity.