State of the art for cardiotoxicity due to chemotherapy and to targeted therapies: A literature review

• Published in: Critical reviews in oncology/hematology Vol. 88; no. 1; pp. 75 - 86
• Main Authors: Berardi, Rossana, Caramanti, Miriam, Savini, Agnese, Chiorrini, Silvia, Pierantoni, Chiara, Onofri, Azzurra, Ballatore, Zelmira, De Lisa, Mariagrazia, Mazzanti, Paola, Cascinu, Stefano
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.10.2013
• Subjects: Anticancer therapy; Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Cardiotoxicity; Cardiovascular Diseases - diagnosis; Cardiovascular Diseases - drug therapy; Cardiovascular Diseases - etiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Cardiovascular toxicity; Chemotherapy; Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine; Humans; Neoplasms - complications; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Targeted therapies; Targeted therapies; Chemotherapy; Cardiotoxicity; Anticancer therapy; Cardiovascular toxicity
• ISSN: 1040-8428; 1879-0461
• DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2013.02.007

Abstract Cardiotoxicity is a common complication of many anti-cancer agents and it remains a major limitation, strongly impacting the quality of life and the overall survival, regardless of the oncologic prognosis. Cardiotoxicity may occur during or shortly after treatment (within days or weeks), or it may become evident months, and sometimes years, after completion of chemotherapy. Cardiotoxicity associated with cancer therapies can range from asymptomatic subclinical abnormalities, including electrocardiographic changes and temporary left ventricular ejection fraction decline, to life-threatening events such as congestive heart failure or acute coronary syndromes. The aim of this review is to summarize potential cancer chemotherapeutics-related cardiovascular toxicities in adult cancer-patients and to suggest monitoring and treatment options for each agent, that can serve as a tool in the clinical practice.