Real-world incidence and risk factors of bortezomib-related cardiovascular adverse events in patients with multiple...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cardiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Cardiotoxicity of proteasome inhibitors, particularly bortezomib, remains controversial.
• Real-world data on bortezomib-associated cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs) are limited.
• This study investigates CVAEs in multiple myeloma patients treated with bortezomib.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of CVAEs in patients with multiple myeloma receiving bortezomib.
• To identify risk factors associated with bortezomib-induced CVAEs.
• To evaluate the impact of CVAEs on survival outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study of 395 multiple myeloma patients treated with bortezomib in South Korea.
• CVAEs (hypertension, arrhythmia, heart failure, etc.) were identified through clinical data and monitoring.
• Patients were observed for 6 months to 2 years post-treatment initiation.

Main Results:

• 20.8% of patients experienced any-grade CVAEs; 14.7% had severe CVAEs.
• New-onset or worsened hypertension was the most common CVAE, with a median onset of 101.5 days.
• Risk factors for CVAEs included low BMI (<18.5), specific myeloma subtypes (light chain, IgD), and history of stroke or hypertension.

Conclusions:

• Severe CVAEs affect approximately 15% of Korean patients undergoing bortezomib therapy.
• Identifying patients with risk factors is essential for proactive CVAE monitoring.
• Close surveillance for CVAE symptoms during bortezomib treatment is recommended.