ABSTRACT

Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary artery embolism are common and serious concomitant diseases in patients with cancer. The prophylaxis and therapy of such venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in oncology have so far been achieved with low-molecular-weight heparins. An increasing number of studies show evidence of the use of direct oral anticoagulants. However, since none of the possible options were shown to have a clear advantage in all patients, the individual decision to use a drug should be made depending on its effectiveness in preventing VTE, the risk of bleeding, the nature of the cancer, the interactions with other medications, the route of administration, and finally the cost of treatment.

PMID:32564097 | DOI:10.1007/s00059-020-04961-9

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PubMed articles on: Cardio-Oncology

Uncoupling DNA damage from chromatin damage to detoxify doxorubicin

Qiao X, et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020.

ABSTRACT

The anthracycline doxorubicin (Doxo) and its analogs daunorubicin (Daun), epirubicin (Epi), and idarubicin (Ida) have been cornerstones of anticancer therapy for nearly five decades. However, their clinical application is limited by severe side effects, especially dose-dependent irreversible cardiotoxicity. Other detrimental side effects of anthracyclines include therapy-related malignancies and infertility. It is unclear whether these side effects are coupled to the chemotherapeutic efficacy. Doxo, Daun, Epi, and Ida execute two cellular activities: DNA damage, causing double-strand breaks (DSBs) following poisoning of topoisomerase II (Topo II), and chromatin damage, mediated through histone eviction at selected sites in the genome. Here we report that anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity requires the combination of both cellular activities. Topo II poisons with either one of the activities fail to induce cardiotoxicity in mice and human cardiac microtissues, as observed for aclarubicin (Acla) and etoposide (Etop). Further, we show that Doxo can be detoxified by chemically separating these two activities. Anthracycline variants that induce chromatin damage without causing DSBs maintain similar anticancer potency in cell lines, mice, and human acute myeloid leukemia patients, implying that chromatin damage constitutes a major cytotoxic mechanism of anthracyclines. With these anthracyclines abstained from cardiotoxicity and therapy-related tumors, we thus uncoupled the side effects from anticancer efficacy. These results suggest that anthracycline variants acting primarily via chromatin damage may allow prolonged treatment of cancer patients and will improve the quality of life of cancer survivors.

PMID:32554494 | DOI:10.1073/pnas.1922072117

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Effectiveness and Safety of Apixaban and Rivaroxaban for Acute Venous Thromboembolism Therapy in Patients with Extremes in Body Weight (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03504007)

Wysokinski WE, et al. Eur J Haematol 2020.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of extremes in body weight EBW and outcomes in patients with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE), recurrent VTE, major bleeding, and clinically relevant non-major bleeding were compared between patients with body weight <60120 kg.

METHODS: Consecutive patients enrolled in the Mayo Clinic VTE Registry (03/28/2013-8/31/2019) with acute VTE were followed prospectively. Patient status was assessed in person, by mailing a written questionnaire, or by a scripted phone interview.

RESULTS: Amongst 2577 patients with the weight ranging from 27.0 kg to 263.2 kg, 2123 (82%) had a bodyweight between 60 - 120 kg, 223 (8.7%) bodyweight <60120 kg. Patients with bodyweight <60kg120kg and cancer on rivaroxaban had higher VTE recurrence compared to bodyweight 60-120kg group (p=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of acute VTE is associated with a higher incidence of bleeding in patients with bodyweight <60kg.120kg on rivaroxaban.

PMID:32557773 | DOI:10.1111/ejh.13471

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PubMed articles on: Cardio-Oncology

INSPIRE: A European training network to Foster research and training in cardiovascular safety pharmacology

Guns PD, et al. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2020.

ABSTRACT

Safety pharmacology is an essential part of drug development aiming to identify, evaluate and investigate undesirable pharmacodynamic properties of a drug primarily prior to clinical trials. In particular, cardiovascular adverse drug reactions (ADR) have halted many drug development programs. Safety pharmacology has successfully implemented a screening strategy to detect cardiovascular liabilities, but there is room for further refinement. In this setting, we present the INSPIRE project, a European Training Network in safety pharmacology for Early Stage Researchers (ESRs), funded by the European Commission's H2020-MSCA-ITN programme. INSPIRE has recruited 15 ESR fellows that will conduct an individual PhD-research project for a period of 36 months. INSPIRE aims to be complementary to ongoing research initiatives. With this as a goal, an inventory of collaborative research initiatives in safety pharmacology was created and the ESR projects have been designed to be complementary to this roadmap. Overall, INSPIRE aims to improve cardiovascular safety evaluation, either by investigating technological innovations or by adding mechanistic insight in emerging safety concerns, as observed in the field of cardio-oncology. Finally, in addition to its hands-on research pillar, INSPIRE will organize a number of summer schools and workshops that will be open to the wider community as well. In summary, INSPIRE aims to foster both research and training in safety pharmacology and hopes to inspire the future generation of safety scientists.

PMID:32565326 | DOI:10.1016/j.vascn.2020.106889

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PubMed articles on: Cardio-Oncology

Successful Heart Transplant in a Childhood Cancer Survivor With Chemoradiotherapy-Induced Cardiomyopathy

Sipahi NF, et al. Exp Clin Transplant 2020.

ABSTRACT

Cancer therapy-related cardiotoxicity has been presenting a major problem in cancer survivors, who constitute a growing population caused by a significant improvement in cancer therapy during the past decades. Although some listing criteria have been defined for these patients, it is still a compelling decision to list patients with a complex cancer anamnesis. We describe herein a childhood cancer survivor after a cancer anamnesis with 2 different malignancies and an end-stage heart failure following chemoradiotherapy who was successfully treated with orthotopic heart transplant.

PMID:32552629 | DOI:10.6002/ect.2020.0062

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PubMed articles on: Cardio-Oncology

Early Detection of Myocardial Damage: A Multimodality Approach

Novo G, et al. J Cardiovasc Echogr 2020 - Review.

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular diseases are possible complications of antineoplastic treatment and may lead to premature morbidity and mortality among cancer survivors. A symptom-based follow-up is ineffective, and there are growing evidences that early detection of myocardial damage in patients treated with antineoplastic drugs is the key point to prevent the occurrence of damage and improve the prognosis of these patients. Different techniques have been proposed to monitor cardiac function in oncologic patients such as cardiac imaging (echocardiography, nuclear imaging, and cardiac magnetic resonance) and biomarkers (troponin and natriuretic peptides). The European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging/American Society of Echocardiography consensus document encourages an integrated approach to early detect cardiotoxicity.

PMID:32566460 | PMC:PMC7293866 | DOI:10.4103/jcecho.jcecho_2_19

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PubMed articles on: Cardio-Oncology

Cardiac effects and toxicity of chloroquine: a short update

Mubagwa K. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2020 - Review.

ABSTRACT

There is currently increased interest in the use of the antimalarial drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of other diseases, including cancer and viral infections such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the risk of cardiotoxic effects tends to limit their use. In this review, the effects of these drugs on the electrical and mechanical activities of the heart as well as on remodelling of cardiac tissue are presented and the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms are discussed. The drugs can have proarrhythmic as well as antiarrhythmic actions resulting from their inhibition of ion channels, including voltage-dependent Na+ and Ca2+ channels, background and voltage-dependent K+ channels, and pacemaker channels. The drugs also exert a vagolytic effect due at least in part to a muscarinic receptor antagonist action. They also interfere with normal autophagy flux, an effect that could aggravate ischaemia/reperfusion injury or post-infarct remodelling. Most of the toxic effects occur at high concentrations, following prolonged drug administration or in the context of drug associations.

PMID:32565195 | PMC:PMC7303034 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.106057

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants versus low molecular weight heparin for cancer related venous thromboembolism: A meta-analysis of randomized trials

Elbadawi A, et al. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Pharmacother 2020.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To examine the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) versus low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in patients with cancer-related venous thrombo-embolism (VTE).

METHODS AND RESULTS: An electronic search of MEDLINE, SCOPUS and COCHRANE without language restrictions was performed through April 2020 for randomized controlled trials that compared the effects of DOACs versus LMWH on patients with cancer-related VTE. Summary estimates were reported using random effects model. The main efficacy outcome was VTE recurrence while the main safety outcome was major bleeding events. The final analysis included 4 randomized trials with a total of 2,907 patients. The weighted mean follow-up was 6.1 months. Compared with LMWH, DOACs were associated with lower risk of VTE recurrence (5.7% vs. 9.1%, risk ratio [RR] 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.44 to 0.87; P = 0.01), driven by lower deep venous thrombosis (P = 0.02). There was no difference between DOACs and LMWH in major bleeding events (4.8% vs. 3.6%, RR 1.33; 95% CI 0.84 to 2.11; P = 0.23). The incidence of all-cause mortality was similar (RR 0.99; 95% CI 0.84 to 1.16; P = 0.91). Subgroup analysis suggested no differences according to the type of DOAC in recurrent VTE or major bleeding (Pinteraction= 0.53 and Pinteraction= 0.11, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Among patients with cancer-related VTE, DOACs were associated with lower risk of VTE recurrence and similar risk of major bleeding compared with LMWH. Future studies examining the subset of cancer patients who drive the most benefit are encouraged.

PMID:32556105 | DOI:10.1093/ehjcvp/pvaa067

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Thrombotic Risk in Cancer Patients: Diagnosis and Management of Venous Thromboembolism

Citro R, et al. J Cardiovasc Echogr 2020 - Review.

ABSTRACT

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents a major health problem, especially in cancer patients, who experience a significantly higher incidence of both deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism compared to the general population. Indeed, patients with cancer have a prothrombotic state resulting in both increased expression of procoagulants and suppression of fibrinolytic activity. In addition, VTE increases the morbidity and mortality of these patients. For all these reasons, the prevention and treatment of VTE in cancer setting represent major challenges in daily practice. In general, low-molecular-weight heparin monotherapy is the standard of care for the management of cancer-associated VTE, as Vitamin K antagonists are less effective in this setting. Direct oral anticoagulants offer a potentially promising treatment option for cancer patients with VTE, since recent studies demonstrated their efficacy and safety also in this peculiar setting.

PMID:32566465 | PMC:PMC7293865 | DOI:10.4103/jcecho.jcecho_63_19

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Guidance on diagnosis, prevention and treatment of thromboembolic complications in COVID-19: a position paper of the Brazilian Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis and the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Committee of the Brazilian Association of Hematology, Hemotherapy and Cellular Therapy

Orsi FA, et al. Hematol Transfus Cell Ther 2020 - Review.

ABSTRACT

Hemostatic abnormalities and thrombotic risk associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are among the most discussed topics in the management of this disease. The aim of this position paper is to provide the opinion of Brazilian experts on the thromboprophylaxis and management of thrombotic events in patients with suspected COVID-19, in the sphere of healthcare in Brazil. To do so, the Brazilian Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis (BSTH) and the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Committee of the Brazilian Association of Hematology, Hemotherapy and Cellular Therapy (ABHH) have constituted a panel of experts to carefully review and discuss the available evidence about this topic. The data discussed in this document was reviewed by May 9, 2020. Recommendations and suggestions reflect the opinion of the panel and should be reviewed periodically as new evidence emerges.

PMID:32565232 | PMC:PMC7293502 | DOI:10.1016/j.htct.2020.06.001

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PubMed articles on: Cardio-Oncology

High molecular weight kininogen contributes to early mortality and kidney dysfunction in a mouse model of sickle cell disease

Sparkenbaugh EM, et al. J Thromb Haemost 2020.