Interactions between cardiology and oncology drugs in precision cardio-oncology

Managing medications for patients with cancer and chronic conditions: It's time for collaboration between primary care and oncology pharmacists

OBJECTIVE

To provide a rationale for a collaborative care model involving oncology and primary care pharmacists to improve the coordination of care of medications for cancer patients with multiple chronic conditions.

DATA SOURCES

A review of selected literature and the authors' own research was used. Studies illustrating the gaps in care for medications and pharmacists' roles in oncology and primary care settings from PubMed were reviewed.

DATA SUMMARY

There has been a substantial increase in the development and utilization of oral anticancer agents (OAAs). Although OAAs offer convenience and flexibility, they also introduce challenges related to medication adherence, monitoring, and managing side effects. Up to 17.5% of patients experience moderate to severe symptoms from OAAs and about 30% report less than excellent medication adherence. Further, studies showed that 30% to 53% of adult cancer patients have at least one chronic condition that complicates their treatment plan due to the need for medications, increasing the risk of drug interactions, side effects, and non-adherence. The Primary Care Oncology Model (PCOM) incorporates both primary care and oncology pharmacists with comprehensive medication review and patient-reported outcome measure, respectively, to enhance medication appropriateness and effectiveness, and improve overall patient experience.

CONCLUSION

Implementing PCOM may improve the medication management of patients taking OAAs for active cancer treatment and chronic medications for their multiple chronic conditions. This collaborative approach can transform patient care by leveraging the expertise of both primary care and oncology pharmacists.

A Comprehensive Review of Cancer Drug-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Blood Cancer Patients: Current Perspectives and Therapeutic Strategies

Cardiotoxicity has emerged as a serious outcome catalyzed by various therapeutic targets in the field of cancer treatment, which includes chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapies. The growing significance of cancer drug-induced cardiotoxicity (CDIC) and radiation-induced cardiotoxicity (CRIC) necessitates immediate attention. This article intricately unveils how cancer treatments cause cardiotoxicity, which is exacerbated by patient-specific risks. In particular, drugs like anthracyclines, alkylating agents, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors pose a risk, along with factors such as hypertension and diabetes. Mechanistic insights into oxidative stress and topoisomerase-II-B inhibition are crucial, while cardiac biomarkers show early damage. Timely intervention and prompt treatment, especially with specific agents like dexrazoxane and beta-blockers, are pivotal in the proactive management of CDIC.

Diagnosis and Management of Cardiovascular Effects of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis) have changed the treatment and prognosis of several B-cell malignancies. However, since the approval of the first BTKi, ibrutinib, reports of cardiovascular adverse events especially atrial fibrillation have arisen. In this review, we discuss the cardiovascular side effects of BTKis and the management of these toxicities in clinical practice.

RECENT FINDINGS

BTKIs increase the risks of atrial fibrillation, bleeding, hypertension, heart failure, and potentially ventricular arrhythmia. Newer second and third-generation BTKis appear to have a lower risk of cardiovascular adverse events; however, long-term follow-up data are not available for these new BTKis. BTKis are an effective treatment for some B-cell malignancies; however, they can cause cardiovascular side effects. The best preventive strategies to minimize cardiovascular complications remain undefined. Currently, a practical approach for managing patients receiving BTKis includes the management of cardiovascular risk factors and side effects of BTKis to prevent interruption of cancer treatment.

Age-specific cardiovascular disease-related mortality among patients with major gastrointestinal cancers: A SEER population-based study

BACKGROUND

Studies have reported age as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality; however, only a few studies have focused on the relationship between age and CVD-related mortality, especially among major gastrointestinal cancers.

METHOD

The present retrospective cohort enrolled patients with colorectal, pancreatic, hepatocellular, gastric, and esophageal cancer between 2000 to 2015 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Registry (SEER). Standardized mortality ratio (SMR), competing risk regression, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses were used in our study.

RESULTS

We analyzed 576,713 patients with major gastrointestinal cancers (327,800 patients with colorectal cancer, 93,310 with pancreatic cancer, 69,757 with hepatocellular cancer, 52,024 with gastric cancer, and 33,822 with esophageal cancer). Overall, CVD-related mortality gradually decreased every year, and the majority were older patients. All cancer patients had a higher CVD-related mortality rate than the general U.S.

POPULATION

The adjusted sub-hazard ratios for middle-aged with colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, hepatocellular cancer, gastric cancer, and esophageal cancer were 2.55 (95% CI: 2.15-3.03), 1.77 (95% CI: 1.06-2.97), 2.64 (95% CI: 1.60-4.36), 2.15 (95% CI: 1.32-3.51), and 2.28 (95% CI: 1.17-4.44), respectively. The adjusted sub-hazard ratios for older patients with colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, hepatocellular cancer, gastric cancer, and esophageal cancer were 11.23 (95% CI: 9.50-13.27), 4.05 (95% CI: 2.46-6.66), 4.47 (95% CI: 2.72-7.35), 7.16 (95% CI: 4.49-11.41), and 4.40 (95% CI: 2.28-8.48), respectively. A non-linear relationship between age at diagnosis and CVD-related mortality was found in colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and esophageal cancer; their reference ages were 67, 69, and 66 years old, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that age was a risk factor for CVD-related mortality among major gastrointestinal cancers.

Evolving field of cardio-oncology

Therapy development for cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) to prolong lifespan makes the relationship between these two conditions more complex. Drug interactions in cardiology and oncology are associated with metabolism and drug transportation. Advances in biomarkers and imaging provide novel methods for detecting cardiotoxicity, including cardiac injury and inflammation. The new concept of CVD-related cancer risk is leading to a new direction of progression termed "reverse cardio-oncology."

Mechanistic science in cardiovascular-oncology: the way forward to maximise anti-cancer drug effects and minimise cardiovascular toxicity

Dramatic improvements in cancer survival have arisen because of the rapid development of novel anti-cancer therapies. The potential for cardiovascular toxicity associated with these drugs often reflects overlap between pathogenic cancer mechanisms and physiological pathways required for normal cardiovascular function. Clinical Science has, therefore, compiled a themed collection on Cardiovascular-Oncology. This collection examines the intersection between cancer treatments and their potentially harmful cardiovascular effects. By defining the mechanisms underlying unwanted cardiovascular effects of anti-cancer therapies, cardioprotective strategies can be developed. Only by doing so, will patients be able to achieve optimal cancer treatment at the minimum cost to cardiovascular health.

Breast cancer treatment-related cardiovascular disturbances: advocacy for a watchful attitude in this never-ending story

INTRODUCTION

Thanks to the emergence of new therapeutics, prognosis and outcome of breast cancer patients (any subtype) have improved significantly. This raises the issue of the interactions and side effects related to the use of multiple drugs. Thus, to decide on a treatment, the optimal benefit risk-ratio should be carefully watched as toxicities such as cardiac ones effect on long-term survival. Indeed, nowadays in France, cardiovascular diseases rank first as causes of death in women.

AREAS COVERED

This non-exhaustive review aims to report the currently available data on cardiac side effects caused by the use of emerging drugs in breast cancer, in localized or metastatic diseases alike. We will focus on HER2-inhibitors, cyclin-dependent-kinase 4/6 and PARP inhibitors, chemotherapy and immunotherapy, before discussing the means of prevention.

EXPERT OPINION

Although this issue has largely been studied, the recent emergence of new drugs emphasizes the necessity for oncologists to adapt their practice to a multidisciplinary model that includes cardio-oncology.