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Cardiovascular Disease as a Consequence or a Cause of Cancer: Potential Role of Extracellular Vesicles

Elisabeta Badila^1,2, Cristina Japie^1,3, Ana-Maria Vrabie^1,2

¹"Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Bucharest, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.

|February 25, 2023

Insights

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate communication between cancer and cardiovascular disease, offering potential for early detection and novel therapies. Research into EVs may improve care for cancer patients experiencing heart issues.

Area of Science:

Oncology
Cardiology
Molecular Biology
Biomarkers

Background:

Cardiovascular disease and cancer are leading causes of global morbidity and mortality.
Early detection and treatment of cardiovascular disease in cancer patients remain significant challenges.
Minimal progress has been made in identifying cardiovascular disease early in cancer patients.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the bidirectional communication between cancer and cardiovascular disease.
To discuss preclinical evidence linking EVs to early cardiac changes in cancer patients.
To highlight the potential of EVs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cardiovascular complications in oncology.

Main Methods:

Review of preclinical evidence on extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediating cancer-cardiovascular disease interactions.
Focus on specific mediators like exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies (collectively EVs).
Analysis of the role of EVs in early cardiac changes associated with cancer treatment.

Main Results:

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are implicated in the cross-talk between cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Preclinical data suggest EVs play a role in bilateral disease connections, including early cardiac alterations.
EVs represent a promising area for discovering disease-specific biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Conclusions:

Investigating EV-based biomarkers and therapies can elucidate mechanisms and detect early cardiovascular damage.
EV research may lead to novel therapeutic approaches for managing cardiovascular risks in cancer patients.
The ultimate goal is to reduce cardiovascular disease burden by enhancing care for patients undergoing cancer treatment.

Read full analysis

Abstract:

Both cardiovascular disease and cancer continue to be causes of morbidity and mortality all over the world. Preventing and treating heart disease in patients undergoing cancer treatment remain an important and ongoing challenge for improving the lives of cancer patients, but also for their survival. Despite ongoing efforts to improve patient survival, minimal advances have been made in the early detection of cardiovascular disease in patients suffering from cancer. Understanding the communication between cancer and cardiovascular disease can be based on a deeper knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that define the profile of the bilateral network and establish disease-specific biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The role of exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies, together defined as extracellular vesicles (EVs), in cross talk between cardiovascular disease and cancer is in an incipient form of research. Here, we will discuss the preclinical evidence on the bilateral connection between cancer and cardiovascular disease (especially early cardiac changes) through some specific mediators such as EVs. Investigating EV-based biomarkers and therapies may uncover the responsible mechanisms, detect the early stages of cardiovascular damage and elucidate novel therapeutic approaches. The ultimate goal is to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases by improving the standard of care in oncological patients treated with anticancer drugs or radiotherapy.

Keywords:

biomarkers cancer cardio-oncology cardiovascular disease exosomes extracellular vesicles microvesicles

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