CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF ANTIANGIOGENIC
ONCOLOGICAL THERAPIES. THE FINE BALANCE OF BENEFITS
AND RISKS
RUXANDRA JURCUȚ1,2, ANCA MARIA POPARĂ-VOICA1,2, GEORGIA-LUIZA ȘERBĂNESCU1, ADINA CROITORU3, OCTAV GINGHINĂ1,4, OANA IONIŢĂ1,2, RODICA ANGHEL1,5, CARMEN GINGHINĂ1,2
1“Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
2“Prof. Dr.C.C.Iliescu” Emergency Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases, Bucharest, Romania
3Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
4“Sf Ioan” Emergency Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
5“Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu” Oncological Institute, Bucharest, Romania
*corresponding author: rjurcut@gmail.com
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Abstract:
Agents targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway have become broadly used in oncology and have
significantly improved the management of certain solid malignancies, prolonging survival in cancers that were previously
untreatable. Clinical studies reported cardiovascular toxicity associated with anti-VEGF agents (including arterial and venous
thromboembolic events, QT prolongation, arterial hypertension and heart failure). The cardiovascular toxicity of these agents
is unexplored in the "daily medical practice”, in unselected patient populations. This review briefly presents the possible
cardiac toxicity of these agents and their underlining mechanisms, as this is highly important both for the cardiologist and the
oncologist in their effort to preserve the balance between the benefits and risks of this therapy. As accurate data on the actual
incidence of the cardiotoxicity of these agents, especially of asymptomatic reduced left ventricular ejection fraction or overt
heart failure remains yet unknown, there is a need for further studies to specifically investigate cardiotoxicity caused by anti-
VEGF agents. Also, new strategies for early detection and prevention of cardiotoxicity from antineoplastic drugs are needed.

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