Use of calcium channel blockers and risk of breast cancer among women aged 55 years and older: a nationwide population-based cohort study

Epidemiology, risk factors and mechanism of breast cancer and atrial fibrillation

Cancer and cardiovascular diseases are leading causes of death worldwide. Among them, breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women, while atrial fibrillation is one of the most extensively studied arrhythmias, with significant public health implications. As the global population ages and advancements in cancer treatments continue, the survival rates of breast cancer patients have significantly improved, leading to an increasing coexistence of breast cancer and atrial fibrillation. However, the mechanisms underlying this coexistence remain insufficiently studied, and there is no consensus on the optimal treatment strategies for these patients. This review consolidates existing research to systematically explore the epidemiological characteristics, risk factors, and pathophysiological mechanisms of both breast cancer and atrial fibrillation. It focuses on the unique signaling pathways associated with different molecular subtypes of breast cancer and their potential impact on the mechanisms of atrial fibrillation. Additionally, the relationship between atrial fibrillation treatment medications and breast cancer is discussed. These insights not only provide essential evidence for the precise prevention and management of atrial fibrillation in breast cancer patients but also lay a solid theoretical foundation for interdisciplinary clinical management practices.

Evolving perspectives in reverse cardio-oncology: A review of current status, pathophysiological insights, and future directives

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer are leading causes of mortality worldwide, traditionally linked through adverse effects of cancer therapies on cardiovascular health. However, reverse cardio-oncology, a burgeoning field, shifts this perspective to examine how cardiovascular diseases influence the onset and progression of cancer. This novel approach has revealed a higher likelihood of cancer development in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, attributed to shared risk factors such as obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and smoking. Underlying mechanisms like chronic inflammation and clonal hematopoiesis further illuminate the connections between cardiovascular ailments and cancer. This comprehensive narrative review, spanning a broad spectrum of studies, outlines the syndromic classification of cardio-oncology, the intersection of cardiovascular risk factors and oncogenesis, and the bidirectional dynamics between CVD and cancer. Additionally, the review also discusses the pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning this interconnection, examining the roles of cardiokines, genetic factors, and the effects of cardiovascular therapies and biomarkers in cancer diagnostics. Lastly, it aims to underline future directives, emphasising the need for integrated healthcare strategies, interdisciplinary research, and comprehensive treatment protocols.

Association between antihypertensive drugs and oral cancer: a drug target Mendelian randomization study

Background: Recent reports have suggested that antihypertensive drugs may play an oncogenic role in common cancers, but it is still uncertain whether this could influence the risk of oral cancer. Through two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR), we sought to assess the causal effect of antihypertensive drugs on oral cancer outcomes. Methods: To proxy the exposure of antihypertensive drugs, we utilized two genetic instruments, including expression quantitative trait loci of drug target genes and genetic variants within or around drug target genes related to blood pressure from genome-wide association studies. Inverse-variance-weighted MR (IVW-MR) and summary-data-based MR (SMR) were employed to compute the instrument effect estimates. Results: It was observed through IVW-MR analysis that there is a positive relationship between KCNH2 (target of beta-adrenoceptor blockers)-mediated blood pressure and oral cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 1.197, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.028-1.394). Similarly, SMR analysis demonstrated that a higher expression of KCNH2 (target of beta-adrenoceptor blockers) was linked to a greater risk of oral cancer (OR = 2.223, 95% CI = 1.094-4.516). Both analyses yielded no consistent evidence of other associations. Conclusion: This two-sample MR study proposed a latent causal association between KCNH2 (target of beta-adrenoceptor blockers) inhibition and diminished risk of oral cancer.