Pathomechanisms and therapeutic opportunities in radiation-induced heart disease: from bench to bedside.

Abstract

Cancer management has undergone significant improvements, which led to increased long-term survival rates among cancer patients. Radiotherapy (RT) has an important role in the treatment of thoracic tumors, including breast, lung, and esophageal cancer, or Hodgkin's lymphoma. RT aims to kill tumor cells; however, it may have deleterious side effects on the surrounding normal tissues. The syndrome of unwanted cardiovascular adverse effects of thoracic RT is termed radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD), and the risk of developing RIHD is a critical concern in current oncology practice. Premature ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, valve abnormalities, and electrical conduct defects are common forms of RIHD. The underlying mechanisms of RIHD are still not entirely clear, and specific therapeutic interventions are missing. In this review, we focus on the molecular pathomechanisms of acute and chronic RIHD and propose preventive measures and possible pharmacological strategies to minimize the burden of RIHD.

• Authors: Márta Sárközy, Zoltán Varga, Renáta Gáspár, Gergő Szűcs, Mónika G Kovács, Zsuzsanna Z A Kovács, László Dux, Zsuzsanna Kahán, Tamás Csont
• Journal: Clinical research in cardiology : official journal of the German Cardiac Society (Clin Res Cardiol) Vol. 110 Issue 4 Pg. 507-531 (Apr 2021) ISSN: 1861-0692 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 33591377 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Benchmarking (methods)
• Disease Management
• Heart (radiation effects)
• Heart Diseases (diagnosis, therapy)
• Humans
• Medical Oncology
• Point-of-Care Systems (organization & administration)
• Radiation Injuries (diagnosis, therapy)