Temporal trends in cardiovascular burden among patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapy: a population-based cohort study

Associations between social determinants of health and cardiovascular and cancer mortality in cancer survivors: a prospective cohort study

AIMS

The cause-specific mortality implications of social determinants of health (SDOH) in cancer survivors were unclear. This study aimed to explore associations between SDOH and cardiovascular and cancer mortality in cancer survivors.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Data from 2013 to 2017 National Health Interview Survey were used for this prospective cohort study. Social determinants of health were quantified using a 38 point, 6 domain score, with higher points indicating worse deprivation. Associations between SDOH and outcomes (primary: cardiovascular mortality; secondary: cancer and all-cause mortality) were assessed using cause-specific multivariable Cox regression, with cancer survivors and individuals without cancer modelled separately. Post hoc analyses were performed among cancer survivors to explore associations between each domain of SDOH and the risks of outcomes. Altogether, 37 882 individuals were analysed (4179 cancer survivors and 33 703 individuals without cancer). Among cancer survivors, worse SDOH was associated with higher cardiovascular [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.31 (1.02-1.68)], cancer [aHR 1.20 (1.01-1.42)], and all-cause mortality [aHR 1.16 (1.02-1.31)] when adjusted for demographics, comorbidities, and risk factors. Among individuals without cancer, SDOH was associated with cardiovascular mortality and all-cause when only adjusted for demographics, but not when further adjusted for comorbidities and risk factors; no associations between SDOH and cancer mortality were found. Among cancer survivors, psychological distress, economic stability, neighbourhood, physical environment and social cohesion, and food insecurity were varyingly associated with the outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Social determinants of health were independently associated with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality among cancer survivors but not among individuals without cancer. Different domains of SDOH may have different prognostic importance.

Atherosclerosis and the Bidirectional Relationship Between Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease: From Bench to Bedside, Part 2 Management

The first part of this review highlighted the evolving landscape of atherosclerosis, noting emerging cardiometabolic risk factors, the growing impact of exposomes, and social determinants of health. The prominent role of atherosclerosis in the bidirectional relationship between cardiovascular disease and cancer was also discussed. In this second part, we examine the complex interplay between multimorbid cardio-oncologic patients, cardiometabolic risk factors, and the harmful environments that lend a "syndemic" nature to these chronic diseases. We summarize management strategies targeting disordered cardiometabolic factors to mitigate cardiovascular disease and explore molecular mechanisms enabling more tailored therapies. Importantly, we emphasize the early interception of atherosclerosis through multifactorial interventions that detect subclinical signs (via biomarkers and imaging) to treat modifiable risk factors and prevent clinical events. A concerted preventive effort-referred to by some as a "preventome"-is essential to reduce the burden of atherosclerosis-driven chronic diseases, shifting from mere chronic disease management to the proactive promotion of "chronic health".

Cardiovascular health of patients with cancer: Challenges abound

Patients with cancer have elevated cardiovascular risks compared to those without cancer. As cancer incidence increases and cancer-related mortality decreases, cardiovascular diseases in patients with a history of cancer will become increasingly important. This in turn is reflected by the exponentially increasing amount of cardio-oncology research in recent years. This narrative review aims to summarize the key existing literature in several main areas of cardio-oncology, including the epidemiology, natural history, prevention, management, and determinants of the cardiovascular health of patients with cancer, and identify relevant gaps in evidence for further research.

The potential benefits of concomitant statins treatment in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the influence of statins on the survival outcomes of patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) treated with adjuvant intravesical bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort of consecutive patients with NMIBC who received intravesical BCG therapy from 2001 to 2020 and statins prescription were identified. Overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were analysed between the Statins Group vs No-Statins Group using Kaplan-Meier method and multivariable Cox regression.

RESULTS

A total of 2602 patients with NMIBC who received intravesical BCG were identified. The median follow-up was 11.0 years. On Kaplan-Meier analysis, the Statins Group had significant better OS (P < 0.001), CSS (P < 0.001), and PFS (P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis indicated statins treatment started before BCG treatment had better CSS (P = 0.02) and PFS (P < 0.01). Upon multivariable Cox regression analysis, the 'statins before BCG' group was an independent protective factor for OS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.607, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.514-0.716), and CSS (HR 0.571, 95% CI 0.376-0.868), but not RFS (HR 0.885, 95% CI 0.736-1.065), and PFS (HR 0.689, 95% CI 0.469-1.013).

CONCLUSIONS

Statins treatment appears to offer protective effects on OS and CSS for patients with NMIBC receiving adjuvant intravesical BCG.

Cardiovascular Events and Androgen Receptor Signaling Inhibitors in Advanced Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Importance

Cardiovascular (CV) events remain a substantial cause of mortality among men with advanced and metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). The introduction of novel androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSI) has transformed the treatment landscape of PCa in recent years; however, their associated CV toxic effects remains unclear.

Objective

To assess the incidence of CV events with addition of ARSI to standard of care (SOC) in locally advanced (M0) and metastatic (M1) PCa.

Data Sources

Systematic searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov were performed from inception up to May 2023.

Study Selection

Randomized clinical trials of ARSI agents (abiraterone, apalutamide, darolutamide, enzalutamide) that reported CV events among individuals with M0 and M1, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC) and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

Data Extraction and Synthesis

A systematic review was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidance. Two authors screened and independently evaluated studies eligible for inclusion. Data extraction and bias assessment was subsequently performed.

Main Outcomes and Measures

A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate risk ratios for the incidence of all grade and grade 3 or higher CV events (primary outcomes), in addition to hypertension, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), cardiac dysrhythmia, CV death, cerebrovascular event, and venous thromboembolism (secondary outcomes). Sources of heterogeneity were explored using meta-regression.

Results

There were 24 studies (n = 22 166 patients; median age range, 63-77 years; median follow-up time range, 3.9-96 months) eligible for inclusion. ARSI therapy was associated with increased risk of all grade CV event (risk ratio [RR], 1.75; 95% CI, 1.50-2.04; P < .001) and grade 3 or higher CV events (RR, 2.10; 95%, 1.72-2.55; P < .001). ARSI therapy also was associated with increased risk for grade 3 or higher events for hypertension (RR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.74-2.90; P < .001), ACS (RR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.43-1.60; P < .01), cardiac dysrhythmia (RR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.23-2.17; P < .001), cerebrovascular events (RR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.34-2.59; P < .001) and for CV-related death (RR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.32-3.10; P = .001). Subgroup analysis demonstrated increased risk of all CV events across the disease spectrum (M0 HSPC: RR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.36-3.75; P = .002; M1 HSPC: RR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.47-2.31; P < .001; M0 CRPC: RR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.13-2.81; P = .01; M1 CRPC: RR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.16-1.83; P = .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

This systematic review and meta-analysis found that the addition of ARSIs to traditional ADT was associated with increased risk of CV events across the prostate cancer disease spectrum. These results suggest that patients with prostate cancer should be advised about and monitored for the potential of increased risk of CV events with initiation of ARSI therapy alongside conventional hormonal therapy.

Associations Between Social Determinants of Health and Cardiovascular Health of U.S. Adult Cancer Survivors

Background

Relationships between the social determinants of health (SDOH) and cardiovascular health (CVH) of cancer survivors are underexplored.

Objectives

This study sought to investigate associations between the SDOH and CVH of adult cancer survivors.

Methods

Data from the U.S. National Health Interview Survey (2013-2017) were used. Participants reporting a history of cancer were included, excluding those with only nonmelanotic skin cancer, or with missing data for any domain of SDOH or CVH. SDOH was quantified with a 6-domain, 38-item score, consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations (higher score indicated worse deprivation). CVH was quantified based on the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8, but due to unavailable detailed dietary data, a 7-item CVH score was used, with a higher score indicating worse CVH. Survey-specific multivariable Poisson regression was used to test associations between SDOH quartiles and CVH.

Results

Altogether, 8,254 subjects were analyzed, representing a population of 10,887,989 persons. Worse SDOH was associated with worse CVH (highest vs lowest quartile: risk ratio 1.30; 95% CI: 1.25-1.35; P < 0.001), with a grossly linear relationship between SDOH and CVH scores. Subgroup analysis found significantly stronger associations in younger participants (P interaction = 0.026) or women (P interaction = 0.001) but without significant interactions with race (P interaction = 0.051). Higher scores in all domains of SDOH were independently associated with worse CVH (all P < 0.001). Higher SDOH scores were also independently associated with each component of the CVH score (all P < 0.05 for highest SDOH quartile).

Conclusions

An unfavorable SDOH profile was independently associated with worse CVH among adult cancer survivors in the United States.

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.

Statin use and mortality risk in Asian patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapy: A population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to examine the associations between the use of statins concurrent with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and the risks of mortality in Asian patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODS

Adult patients (≥18 years old) diagnosed with PCa who were receiving any form of ADT and were being treated at public hospitals in Hong Kong from December 1999 to March 2021 were retrospectively identified, with follow-up conducted until September 2021. Patients who had received medical castration for <180 days without subsequent bilateral orchidectomy, those who had used statins concurrently with ADT for <180 days, and those with missing baseline total cholesterol levels were excluded. Statin users were defined as individuals who had used statins for ≥180 days concurrent with ADT, while non-users were those who had not used any statins. PCa-related mortality was the primary outcome, while all-cause mortality served as the secondary outcome. Inverse probability treatment weighting was employed to balance the covariates.

RESULTS

A total of 4920 patients were included, consisting of 2578 statin users and 2342 non-users (mean age 76.1 ± 8.2 years). Over a mean follow-up period of 4.2 ± 3.3 years, it was observed that statin users had significantly lower risks of both PCa-related mortality (weighted hazard ratio [wHR] 0.56 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48, 0.65], p < 0.001) and all-cause mortality (wHR 0.57 [95% CI 0.51, 0.63], p < 0.001), regardless of the type of ADT used. Notably, these associations were more pronounced among patients with less advanced PCa, as indicated by the absence of androgen receptor antagonist or chemotherapy usage (p value for interaction <0.001 for both outcomes).

CONCLUSION(S)

The use of statins concurrent with ADT was associated with reduced mortality risks among Asian patients with PCa. These findings suggest the need for additional research to explore the potential role of statins in the treatment of PCa patients.

Prevalence and temporal trends of prostate diseases among inpatients with cardiovascular disease: a nationwide real-world database survey in Japan

Introduction

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) are major prostate diseases that potentially share cardiometabolic risk factors and an elevated risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the prevalence of prostate diseases among patients with established CVD remains unclear.

Materials and methods

This nationwide retrospective study assessed the prevalence and temporal trend of prostate diseases (i.e., BPH or PCa) among patients hospitalized for CVDs in Japan. We used a claims database (the Japanese Registry of All Cardiac and Vascular Diseases-Diagnosis Procedure Combination), which included data on 6,078,487 male patients recorded from 1,058 hospitals between April 2012 and March 2020. We conducted the Cochran-Armitage trend test and calculated the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

The prevalence of prostate diseases over the entire study period was 5.7% (BPH, 4.4%; PCa, 1.6%). When dividing the overall cohort into age categories (<65, 65-74, and ≥75 years old), the prevalence was 1.1%, 4.7%, and 9.9%, respectively (P for trend <0.05). In addition, the annual prevalence showed a modest increasing trend over time. Patients admitted for heart failure (HF) were significantly associated with a higher incidence of coexisting prostate diseases than those admitted for non-HF causes [aOR 1.02 (95% CI, 1.01-1.03)] or acute coronary syndrome [aOR 1.19 (95% CI, 1.17-1.22)].

Conclusions

The nationwide real-world database revealed that the prevalence of prostate diseases is increasing among patients hospitalized for CVD, particularly HF. Attention to detailed causality and continued surveillance are needed to further clarify the clinical characteristics of prostate diseases among patients with CVD.