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Microtubule Inhibitors and Cardiotoxicity

  • Cardio-oncology (EH Yang, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Oncology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Cancer and heart disease are the leading causes of mortality in the USA. Advances in cancer therapies, namely, the development and use of chemotherapeutic agents alone or in combination, are becoming increasingly prevalent.

Recent Findings

Many chemotherapeutic agents have been associated with adverse cardiovascular manifestations. The mechanisms of these sequelae remain incompletely understood. In particular, microtubule inhibitor (MTI) agents have been related to the development of heart failure, myocardial ischemia, and conduction abnormalities. At present, there are no guidelines for patients undergoing MTI therapy as it pertains to both preventative and mitigatory strategies for cardiovascular complications. We conducted a literature review focusing on content related to the use of MTIs and their effect on the cardiovascular system.

Summary

MTIs have been associated with various forms of cardiotoxicity, and fatal cardiotoxicities are rare. The most well-described cardiotoxicities are brady- and tachyarrhythmias. The co-administration of anthracycline-based agents with MTIs can increase the risk of cardiotoxicity.

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Abbreviations

MTI:

Microtubule inhibitors

LVEF:

Left ventricular ejection fraction

NCI:

National Cancer Institute

CHF:

Congestive heart failure

MI:

Myocardial infarction

CAD:

Coronary artery disease

CTIA:

Chemotherapy treatment-induced arrhythmia

BNP:

Brain natriuretic peptide

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Acknowledgements

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Author notes

  1. Amogh M. Joshi and George S. Prousi contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PA, USA

    Amogh M. Joshi

  2. Department of Cardiology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA

    George S. Prousi

  3. Heart and Vascular Institute, West Virginia University, 1 Medical Center Dr., Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA

    Christopher Bianco & Brijesh Patel

  4. Hematology and Oncology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA

    Midhun Malla

  5. Department of Cardiology, Case Western University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Avirup Guha

  6. Department of Cardiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Mahek Shah

  7. Cardio-Oncology Program, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Sherry-Ann Brown

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All authors of this manuscript have significantly been involved in the conception and design or analysis and interpretation of the clinical information, drafting of the manuscript, or revising it critically for important intellectual content.

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Correspondence to Brijesh Patel.

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Joshi, A.M., Prousi, G.S., Bianco, C. et al. Microtubule Inhibitors and Cardiotoxicity. Curr Oncol Rep 23, 30 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-021-01014-0

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