Cardiac toxicity of targeted therapies used in the treatment for solid tumours: a review

Abstract

Cardiotoxicity associated with conventional cytostatics is a known phenomenon and is related to their general cytotoxic effects. This damage to the myocardium is usually irreversible. Despite the attempts to optimize safety profile of targeted anticancer drugs during their development, evidence shows that these new treatment modalities also have cardiotoxic potential or may adversely affect vascular system. Over the last years, a significant number of these agents have been introduced in medical practice. Arterial hypertension, arrhythmias, left ventricular dysfunction and a heart failure are the most frequent cardiovascular adverse effects of targeted anticancer agents, but this toxicity seems to be reversible. To enable early interventions and to minimize these cardiovascular adverse effects, health care professionals have to be well-informed and familiar with the safety profiles of the drugs they administered, the patient's cardiovascular condition and co-morbidities, and they must regularly monitor their patients for potential adverse effects. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of cardiotoxic effects caused by targeted anticancer drugs used in the treatment of solid tumours. We discuss pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostics and treatment, risk factors and options for prevention.