Cardiovascular safety of VEGF-targeting therapies: current evidence and handling strategies.
Treatment with the angiogenesis inhibitors bevacizumab, sunitinib, and sorafenib as single agents or in combination with conventional chemotherapy is becoming a cornerstone of modern anticancer therapy. However, the potential toxicity of these drugs, mainly to the cardiovascular system, is still being investigated. Patient assessment at baseline, of crucial importance in candidates for treatment, involves the evaluation of risk factors and screening for past or present cardiovascular disease. Strict monitoring of treatment-related adverse effects must be conducted in order to allow the early detection of cardiovascular toxicities and their prompt medication. In the present paper, the most frequent cardiovascular toxicities and their underlying mechanisms are investigated, with a view to providing indications for effective patient management.
Girardi
Fabio
F
Department of Medical Oncology, Bellaria-Maggiore Hospital, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy. alba.brandes@yahoo.it.
Franceschi
Enrico
E
Brandes
Alba A
AA
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001557:Benzenesulfonates / Q000009:adverse effects; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000009:adverse effects; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D011725:Pyridines / Q000009:adverse effects; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077157:Sorafenib; D000077210:Sunitinib; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D007211:Indoles; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D011725:Pyridines; D011758:Pyrroles; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D009536:Niacinamide; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000077157:Sorafenib; D000077210:Sunitinib