Role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in early detection and treatment of cardiac dysfunction in oncology patients

Use of new and emerging cancer drugs: what the cardiologist needs to know

The last decade has witnessed a paradigm shift in cancer therapy, from non-specific cytotoxic chemotherapies to agents targeting specific molecular mechanisms. Nonetheless, cardiovascular toxicity of cancer therapies remains an important concern. This is particularly relevant given the significant improvement in survival of solid and haematological cancers achieved in the last decades. Cardio-oncology is a subspecialty of medicine focusing on the identification and prevention of cancer therapy-related cardiovascular toxicity (CTR-CVT). This review will examine the new definition of CTR-CVT and guiding principles for baseline cardiovascular assessment and risk stratification before cancer therapy, providing take-home messages for non-specialized cardiologists.

Breast Cancer and Therapy-Related Cardiovascular Toxicity

The global incidence of breast cancer is on the rise, a trend also observed in South Korea. However, thanks to the rapid advancements in anticancer therapies, survival rates are improving. Consequently, post-treatment health and quality of life for breast cancer survivors are emerging as significant concerns, particularly regarding treatment-related cardiotoxicity. In this review, we delve into the cardiovascular complications associated with breast cancer treatment, explore surveillance protocols for early detection and diagnosis of late complications, and discuss protective strategies against cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients undergoing anticancer therapy, drawing from multiple guidelines.

Cardiovascular disease burden in patients with urological cancers: The new discipline of uro-cardio-oncology

Cancer remains a major cause of mortality worldwide, and urological cancers are the most common cancers among men. Several therapeutic agents have been used to treat urological cancer, leading to improved survival for patients. However, this has been accompanied by an increase in the frequency of survivors with cardiovascular complications caused by anticancer medications. Here, we propose the novel discipline of uro-cardio-oncology, an evolving subspecialty focused on the complex interactions between cardiovascular disease and urological cancer. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the various cardiovascular toxicities induced by different classes of antineoplastic agents used to treat urological cancers, including androgen deprivation therapy, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and chemotherapeutics. In addition, we discuss possible mechanisms underlying the cardiovascular toxicity associated with anticancer therapy and outline strategies for the surveillance, diagnosis, and effective management of cardiovascular complications. Finally, we provide an analysis of future perspectives in this emerging specialty, identifying areas in need of further research.