Cardiotoxicity of Anti-Cancer Radiation Therapy: a Focus on Heart Failure.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: As the percentage of patients achieving long-term survival following treatment of their cancer grows, it is increasingly important to understand the long-term toxicities of cancer-directed treatment. In this review, we highlight the recent findings regarding radiation-induced cardiotoxicity across multiple disease sites, with a particular focus on heart failure. RECENT FINDINGS: Despite its relative lack of study historically, radiation-induced heart failure has now recently been implicated in several studies of breast cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and lymphoma as a non-trivial potential consequence of thoracic radiotherapy. Data regarding specific cardiac dosimetric endpoints relevant to cardiotoxicity continue to accumulate. Radiation-induced heart failure is a rare but significant toxicity of thoracic radiotherapy, that is likely underreported. Important areas for future focus include understanding the interplay between thoracic radiotherapy and concurrent cardiotoxic systemic therapy as well as development of potential mitigation strategies and novel therapeutics.

Cardiovascular Toxicities of BTK Inhibitors in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: JACC: CardioOncology State-of-the-Art Review.

Over the past decade, the treatment landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has dramatically changed, shifting from cytotoxic chemotherapy to targeted therapies. Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of CLL and are increasingly applied in many other malignancies. However, ibrutinib, the first BTK inhibitor approved, is associated with serious toxicities, including atrial fibrillation in up to 38% of patients, ventricular arrhythmias, and other cardiovascular toxicities. Emerging data suggest several newer BTK inhibitors (eg, acalabrutinib, zanubrutinib) are still associated with cardiotoxic risks. This review examines the current state of evidence, including incidence rates, risk factors, mechanisms, and management strategies of cardiovascular toxicities with BTK inhibitors and other CLL therapies. We specifically focus on atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias/sudden death, hypertension, heart failure, bleeding, and stroke. We also touch on other emerging BTK therapies (eg, pirtobrutinib). Finally, we highlight key unanswered questions and future directions of research.