Cardiac Damage from Treatments
Posted 12/30/2011
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It seems totally unfair that, while being treated for cancer, one also has to be concerned about cardiac damage. Knowing that cancer and heart disease are the biggest killers of Americans, we should not have to worry about being in both groups. To be fair, cardiac damage from medicines is not the same as having heart disease--although the end result may be. For women with breast cancer, the major worries are with molecular treatments (e.g. herceptin) and Adriamycin. This is an article about the importance of cooperative care from both oncologists and cardiologists in some situations. I give you the abstract and then a link:
Cardiac side effects of molecular targeted therapies: Towards a better dialogue between oncologists and cardiologists
Stephane Ederhy a, Hassan Izzedine b, Christophe Massard c, Ghislaine Dufaitre a, Jean Philippe Spano b, Gerard Milano d, Catherine Meuleman a, Benjamin Besse c,
Franck Boccara a, David Kahyat b, Ariel Cohen a, Jean Charles Soria c
Abstract
Molecular targeted therapies (MTTs) have become a major component of modern management of various hematological and solid malig- nancies. However, some MTTs have been associated with cardiotoxicity. MTT-induced cardiovascular side effects include left ventricular systolic dysfunction, heart failure, conduction abnormalities, acute coronary syndrome, and hypertension. One of the most threatening com- plications of MTT, and notably of angiogenic inhibitors, is QT prolongation with the risk of torsades de pointe and sudden death. The precise incidence of cardiovascular events associated with MTT as well as their reversibility are unknown. Here, we summarize what is known about the cardiotoxicity of MTT, emphasizing MTTs that target tyrosine kinases. We have tried to provide both the basic mechanisms underlying specific cardiotoxicities (such as the interruption of specific signaling pathways leading to cardiomyocyte dysfunction and/or death), and offer guidance regarding the optimal way to detect and treat these cardiotoxicities.
http://www.e-eso.net/croh/chro208.pdf
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