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ESMO E-Learning: Cardiotoxicity in Oncology Practice

New E-Learning module by Prof De Azambuja and Dr Eiger is now available. Watch the presentation and take the CME test today!

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Learning objectives

  1. Provide an overview of the cardiotoxicity of anticancer treatments in patients with cancer
  2. Provide an overview of the strategies for the prevention of cardiotoxicity related to anticancer treatment
  3. Provide an overview of the medical treatment of cardiac events related to anticancer treatment

Description

Advances in cancer treatments have improved the patients’ outcomes​. However, there is an increase in cardiac toxicities, which may impact on the patient’s quality of life​. In this E-Learning module, the authors elaborate on cardiovascular adverse events of anticancer therapies, in particular myocardial dysfunction, heart failure, myocarditis, coronary artery disease, QT prolongation, systemic hypertension, thrombotic disease, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction​, and valvular disease​.

New molecules targeting different pathways are being tested in different tumour types. Consequently, cardiotoxicity has emerged as a frequent problem in oncology. The authors state that anthracyclines may cause irreversible damage and should be avoided in patients at high cardiac risk​. Trastuzumab cardiac events generally occur during the treatment and are mostly reversible​. Dual HER2 blockade does not seem to increase the cardiotoxicity risk​. VEGF tyrosine kinase inhibitors induce hypertension-mediated cardiotoxicity; thus, hypertension management is paramount​.

This E-learning module is an update of an earlier ESMO module on cardiotoxicity in oncology practice. Besides elaborating several new targeted agents that in meantime have been introduced in the clinical practice, the authors also elaborate a completely new chapter on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI)-related cardiotoxicity. In particular, they warn that albeit rare, one should always be attentive to promptly diagnose and treat ICI-related myocarditis.

The authors explain that cardiac events can occur at an early or late onset. In terms of radiotherapy, most events occur at long-term, including valvar disease. They explain heart-sparing techniques and radiotherapy planning techniques that reduce the risk of cardiotoxicity.

The authors conclude that a thorough cardiac risk assessment should take place prior to any cancer treatment​. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are required to avoid bad prognosis of heart failure. Late valvar diseases should be considered in patients previously exposed to radiotherapy. They advocate that close collaboration with cardiologists is fundamental​. They also promote the ESMO consensus recommendations on the management of cardiac disease in cancer patients throughout oncological treatment.

This E-Learning module was published in 2021 and expired in 2023.

Declaration of interest

Evandro De Azambuja has reported:
Honoraria and/or advisory board from Roche/GNE, Novartis, SeaGen, Zodiac, Libbs and Pierre Fabre.
Travel grants from Roche/GNE and GSK/Novartis.
Research grant to his institution from Roche/GNE, AstraZeneca, GSK/Novartis and Servier.

Daniel Eiger has reported:
Research grant to Institut Jules Bordet from Roche/GNE, AstraZeneca, Novartis and Servier.
Funding for his ESMO Fellowship (2018-2019) from Novartis.

Last update: 24 Mar 2021

This E-Learning module was published in 2021. The CME test expired in 2023.

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