Recent Perspectives on Cardiovascular Toxicity Associated with Colorectal Cancer Drug Therapy.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cardiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Cardiotoxicity is a significant adverse effect of cancer therapy, impacting patient outcomes and quality of life.
• Colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment, particularly with chemotherapy, is linked to cardiovascular complications, affecting up to 39% of patients.
• 5-fluorouracil, a common CRC chemotherapy, can cause cardiotoxicity in 1.5% to 18% of patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review potential cardiotoxicities associated with anticancer drugs and targeted therapies for colorectal cancer.
• To identify and discuss strategies for early diagnosis, prevention, and management of cardiotoxicity in CRC patients.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of cardiotoxicity mechanisms and clinical data related to colorectal cancer treatments.
• Analysis of signaling pathways involved in drug-induced cardiotoxicity.
• Synthesis of current knowledge on diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Main Results:

• CRC treatments, including 5-fluorouracil and targeted therapies, can induce cardiotoxicity through complex mechanisms.
• These mechanisms involve modulation of signaling pathways (e.g., VEGF, PI3K/AKT/mTOR) leading to oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.
• Cardiovascular impairment is a frequent complication in CRC patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the mechanisms of cardiotoxicity is crucial for mitigating its impact.
• Early detection, prevention, and management strategies are essential for improving the quality of life for colorectal cancer patients undergoing therapy.
• Further research is needed to refine diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for cancer therapy-induced cardiotoxicity.