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Review
. 2023 Jan 25;15(3):729.
doi: 10.3390/cancers15030729.

Multifactorial Diseases of the Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, and Liver and Incident Cancer: Epidemiology and Shared Mechanisms

Canxia Shi  1 , Sanne de Wit  1 , Emina Učambarlić  1 , George Markousis-Mavrogenis  1 , Elles M Screever  1   2 , Wouter C Meijers  1   2 , Rudolf A de Boer  1   2 , Joseph Pierre Aboumsallem  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Multifactorial Diseases of the Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, and Liver and Incident Cancer: Epidemiology and Shared Mechanisms

Canxia Shi et al. Cancers (Basel). .

Abstract

Within the aging population, the frequency of cancer is increasing dramatically. In addition, multiple genetic and environmental factors lead to common multifactorial diseases, including cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the connection between cancer and multifactorial diseases, as well as how one can affect the other, resulting in a vicious cycle. Although the exact mechanistic explanations behind this remain to be fully explored, some progress has been made in uncovering the common pathologic mechanisms. In this review, we focus on the nature of the link between cancer and common multifactorial conditions, as well as specific shared mechanisms, some of which may represent either preventive or therapeutic targets. Rather than organ-specific interactions, we herein focus on the shared mechanisms among the multifactorial diseases, which may explain the increased cancer risk. More research on this subject will highlight the significance of developing new drugs that target multiple systems rather than just one disease.

Keywords: cardio-oncology; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; end-stage renal disease; heart failure; incident cancer; metabolic associated fatty liver disease; onco-nephrology; reverse cardio-oncology.

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Conflict of interest statement

Prof. Dr. de Boer has received research grants and/or fees from AstraZeneca, Abbott, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cardior Pharmaceuticals Gmbh, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Novo Nordisk, and Roche. Dr. de Boer received speaker fees from Abbott, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Novartis, and Roche. All other authors have nothing to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of the bi-directional link between cancer and HF.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic representation illustrating the relation between kidney disease and cancer.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic representation of the mechanisms linking COPD to lung cancer (A). A suggested model of lung cancer development in the setting of emphysema at the alveolar level (B).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Graphical illustration depicting the progression from MAFLD to hepatocellular carcinoma and non-hepatic conditions.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Graphical representation summarizing all the common risk factors/mechanisms between the main multifactorial diseases.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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