"On-target" cardiac effects of anticancer drugs: lessons from new biology

J Am Coll Cardiol. 2012 Aug 14;60(7):626-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2012.01.069. Epub 2012 Jun 13.

Abstract

The development of new biological therapeutics such as neutralizing antibodies and small molecule inhibitors of receptors signaling is revolutionizing many fields of medicine—and creating new insights into normal biology. In particular, inhibition of blood vessel growth has been vigorously pursued in a number of fields, including oncology and ophthalmology. To date, most experience with this class of drugs centers on anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents such as a neutralizing antibody bevacizumab and small molecule inhibitors of VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR2). Anti-VEGF therapies have been spectacularly successful for treatment of macular degeneration, and somewhat less so in the treatment of cancer. Hand in hand with these advances is the emergence of new cardiac illnesses directly related to the activity of these agents.

Publication types

  • Editorial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Hypertension / chemically induced*
  • Microcirculation / drug effects*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A