Target therapies-induced cardiotoxicity

Abstract

Target therapies have become an important component of the treatment of many cancers, with significant evidence of a gain in survival in their use, but at the same time, with increasing concern about their ability to cause a wide spectrum of secondary cardiovascular adverse events (left ventricular dysfunction, heart failure, hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, QT prolongation, sudden cardiac death), partly because of an increased use of combination therapies and a growing population with cardiovascular risk factors. The following article summarises the recent data in the literature on the epidemiology and pathophysiology of cardiotoxicity induced by different target drugs, as well as strategies for patient management before, during and after antineoplastic treatment, early diagnosis of cardiovascular adverse events, with particular attention on the role of echocardiography. The delicate balance between effective cancer therapy and the risk of secondary cardiovascular disease that could affect the gain of survival, requires a profound collaboration between oncologists and cardiologists, with the aim of creating a personalised therapy for the patient and their illness. © Touch MEdical MEdia 2013.