Cardiotoxicity of Chemotherapeutic Drugs: An Update and Future Perspectives

Rapid advancements in oncological treatments over the past few decades have led to a significant improvement in cancer outcomes. Chemotherapeutic agents play a pivotal role in cancer treatment, with almost one-third of patients receiving them during their cancer treatment in the United Kingdom. The success of chemotherapeutic drugs has, however, resulted in an increasing incidence of cardiovascular side effects and complications. The most common cardiac manifestation is the development of cardiotoxicity, defined as the development of left ventricular systolic dysfunction, after treatment. This article provides an up-to-date review of the commonly used chemotherapeutic agents that cause cardiotoxicity and discusses current treatment options and evidence gaps.