[Cardiovascular and metabolic toxicity secondary to sorafenib]

R Roa-Chamorro1, L Torres-Quintero2, P González-Bustos1

  • 1Unidad de Hipertensión y Riesgo Vascular, Servicio de Medicina Interna. Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, España.

Insights

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are effective cancer drugs but can cause side effects. Close patient monitoring during treatment is crucial for managing these potential adverse events.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are a key class of chemotherapy agents used for various solid and hematological neoplasms.
  • Their mechanism involves inhibiting specific tyrosine kinases essential for neoplastic cell proliferation, offering a targeted approach to cancer treatment.

Observation:

  • While generally well-tolerated, TKIs are not entirely selective.
  • This lack of selectivity can lead to off-target effects and secondary toxicities in patients.

Findings:

  • Sorafenib, a notable TKI, is associated with adverse events including arterial hypertension, thyroid dysfunction, abdominal pain, and hyperamylasemia.
  • These side effects highlight the importance of understanding the broader toxicological profile of TKIs.

Implications:

  • Regular patient monitoring during TKI therapy is essential for early detection and management of potential side effects.
  • Proactive management can improve patient outcomes and adherence to cancer treatment regimens.

Related Concept Videos

Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations01:24

Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) progressively impairs multiple body systems due to the accumulation of uremic toxins, which disrupt cellular functions across various organs.Neurologic symptomsNeurologic symptoms often arise early in CKD, as uremic toxin buildup drives changes in cognitive and motor functions. Patients frequently experience fatigue, headache, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and, in severe cases, seizures. Peripheral neuropathy commonly manifests as burning sensations in the...
81
Renal Failure: Dose Adjustments01:11

Renal Failure: Dose Adjustments

In patients with renal impairment, drugs undergo significant changes in their pharmacokinetics, which require dosage adjustments to ensure safe and effective therapy.
Reduced renal clearance and elimination rate are common outcomes of renal impairment. These alterations lead to a prolonged elimination half-life and an altered apparent volume of distribution for drugs. As a result, dosage adjustments are typically necessary to maintain optimal drug levels in the body.
However, dosage adjustments...
150
Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System

The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
505
Toxic Reactions: Overview01:26

Toxic Reactions: Overview

When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
1.2K
Drug Distribution: Tissue Binding01:21

Drug Distribution: Tissue Binding

Upon entering the systemic circulation, drugs can distribute into the interstitial and intracellular fluid of various tissue cells. This distribution is facilitated by the binding of drugs to different cellular components within tissues, which may lead to drug accumulation in specific areas. Drugs bound to tissue components serve as reservoirs that release free drugs back into the system, prolonging the drug's overall action. However, this accumulation can also result in local toxicity.
For...
3.1K
Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents

Positive inotropic agents are commonly used as the first line of treatment for heart failure. One such agent is digoxin, derived from the genus Digitalis, which has been known for centuries but effectively utilized since 1785. However, these cardiac glycosides can have potentially toxic effects due to their mechanism of action, which involves inhibiting Na+/K+-ATPase and increasing contractility. Digoxin is absorbed orally and distributed in various tissues, including the CNS. It has a long...
714