Advancing Cardio-Oncology in Asia

Cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction and the role of cardiovascular imaging: systemic review and opinion paper from the Working Group on Cardio-Oncology of the Korean Society of Cardiology

Cardio-oncology is a critical field due to the escalating significance of cardiovascular toxicity as a side effect of anticancer treatments. Cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) is a prevalent condition associated with cardiovascular toxicity, necessitating effective strategies for prediction, monitoring, management, and tracking. This comprehensive review examines the definition and risk stratification of CTRCD, explores monitoring approaches during anticancer therapy, and highlights specific cardiovascular toxicities linked to various cancer treatments. These include anthracyclines, HER2-targeted agents, vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes therapies. Incorporating the Korean data, this review offers insights into the regional nuances in managing CTRCD. Using systematic follow-up incorporating cardiovascular imaging and biomarkers, a better understanding and management of CTRCD can be achieved, optimizing the cardiovascular health of both cancer patients and survivors.

Addressing the risk and management of cardiometabolic complications in prostate cancer patients on androgen deprivation therapy and androgen receptor axis-targeted therapy: consensus statements from the Hong Kong Urological Association and the Hong Kong Society of Uro-Oncology

Background

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the foundational treatment for metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). Androgen receptor (AR) axis-targeted therapies are a new standard of care for advanced PCa. Although these agents have significantly improved patient survival, the suppression of testosterone is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic syndrome. This highlights the urgency of multidisciplinary efforts to address the cardiometabolic risk of anticancer treatment in men with PCa.

Methods

Two professional organizations invited five urologists, five clinical oncologists, and two cardiologists to form a consensus panel. They reviewed the relevant literature obtained by searching PubMed for the publication period from April 2013 to April 2023, to address three discussion areas: (i) baseline assessment and screening for risk factors in PCa patients before the initiation of ADT and AR axis-targeted therapies; (ii) follow-up and management of cardiometabolic complications; and (iii) selection of ADT agents among high-risk patients. The panel convened four meetings to discuss and draft consensus statements using a modified Delphi method. Each drafted statement was anonymously voted on by every panelist.

Results

The panel reached a consensus on 18 statements based on recent evidence and expert insights.

Conclusion

These consensus statements serve as a practical recommendation for clinicians in Hong Kong, and possibly the Asia-Pacific region, in the management of cardiometabolic toxicities of ADT or AR axis-targeted therapies in men with PCa.

Cardio-oncology in China

OPINION STATEMENT

Cardio-oncology is going under rapid development in various areas across an increasing number of provinces in China. However there are still a myriad of challenges that need to be overcome in order to ensure its gradual and consistent expansion. The Cardio-Oncology Knowledge Transfer Model (KTM) forms the basis to allow exponential development of effective cardio-oncology services. This would ensure the implementation of precision-based practice while dynamically evolving cardio-oncology to integrate both Western and Chinese medical practices to become an official clinical sub-speciality in its own right in China, for the ultimate benefit of the patient.

Approaches to Prevent and Manage Cardiovascular Disease in Patients Receiving Therapy for Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Prostate cancer (PCa) is amongst the most common cancers in men worldwide. Cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and CV disease (CVD) are common comorbidities in this patient population, posing a challenge for PCa-directed therapies which can cause or worsen CVRFs and CVDs. Herein, we summarize the approaches to prevent and manage CVD in patients with PCa receiving therapy.

RECENT FINDINGS

While patients with locally advanced and metastatic PCa benefit from hormonal therapy, these treatments can potentially cause CV toxicity. Androgen receptor targeting therapies, such as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), can induce metabolic changes and directly impact cardiovascular function, thereby reducing cardiorespiratory fitness and increasing CV mortality. Moreover, more than half of the PCa patients have poorly controlled CV risk factors at baseline. Hence, there is an urgent need to address gaps in preventing and managing CVD in PCa patients. Screening and optimizing CV risk factors and CVD in patients undergoing ADT are essential to reduce CV mortality, the leading non-cancer cause of death in PCa survivors. The risk of CV morbidity and mortality can be further mitigated by considering the patient's cardiovascular risk profile when deciding the choice and duration of ADT. A multidisciplinary team-based approach is crucial to achieve the best outcomes for PCa patients undergoing therapy.