Cardiac Complications: The Understudied Aspect of Cancer Cachexia

The global burden of cancer cachexia is increasing along with drastic increase in cancer patients. Cancer itself leads to cachexia, and cachexia development is associated with events like altered hemodynamics, and reduced functional capacity of the heart among others which lead to failure of the heart and are called cardiovascular complications associated with cancer cachexia. In some patients, the anti-cancer therapy also leads to this cardiovascular complications. So, in this review, an attempt is made to understand the mechanisms, pathophysiology of cardiovascular events in cachectic patients. Important processes which cause cardiovascular complications include alterations in the structure of the heart, loss of cardiac mass and functioning, cardiac fibrosis and cardiac remodeling, apoptosis, cardiac muscle atrophy, and mitochondrial alterations. Previously, the available treatment options were limited to nutraceuticals and physical exercise. Recently, studies with some prospective agents that can improve cardiac health have been reported, but whether their action is effective in cardiovascular complications associated with cancer cachexia is not known or are under trial.