ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are widely used in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Limited studies have shown an association between treatment-limiting arrhythmias and TKI, particularly ibrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor. We sought to comprehensively assess the arrhythmia burden in patients receiving ibrutinib vs non-BTK TKI vs non-TKI therapies.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who received long-term cardiac event monitors while on ibrutinib, non-BTK TKIs, or non-TKI therapy for a hematologic malignancy between 2014 and 2022.

RESULTS: One hundred ninety-three patients with hematologic malignancies were included (ibrutinib = 72, non-BTK TKI = 46, non-TKI therapy = 75). The average duration of TKI therapy was 32 months in the ibrutinib group vs 64 months in the non-BTK TKI group (p = 0.003). The ibrutinib group had a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (n = 32 [44%]) compared to the non-BTK TKI (n = 7 [15%], p = 0.001) and non-TKI (n = 15 [20%], p = 0.002) groups. Similarly, the prevalence of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia was higher in the ibrutinib group (n = 31, 43%) than the non-BTK TKI (n = 8 [17%], p = 0.004) and non-TKI groups (n = 20 [27%], p = 0.04). TKI therapy was held in 25% (n = 18) of patients on ibrutinib vs 4% (n = 2) on non-BTK TKIs (p = 0.005) secondary to arrhythmias.

CONCLUSIONS: In this large retrospective analysis of patients with hematologic malignancies, patients receiving ibrutinib had a higher prevalence of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias compared to those receiving other TKI, with a higher rate of treatment interruption due to arrhythmias.

PMID:37256462 | DOI:10.1007/s10840-023-01575-z

12:58

PubMed articles on: Cardio-Oncology

An unusual case of checkpoint-inhibitor-induced pleuropericarditis

J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2023 May 30:10781552231179369. doi: 10.1177/10781552231179369. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Pembrolizumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that promotes effector T-cell functions on malignant cells by binding to programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1). Pembrolizumab is well tolerated in most cases with an adverse event profile consisting mainly of pruritus, fatigue, and anorexia. Cardiotoxicity comprises 1% of the total adverse events.

CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 64-year-old female with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who developed pleuropericarditis following pembrolizumab therapy.

MANAGEMENT & OUTCOME: The patient was successfully managed with colchicine, furosemide, and timely initiation of methylprednisolone with the improvement of her symptoms. The decision to discontinue pembrolizumab was made, and six months after this intervention, the patient has remained asymptomatic.

DISCUSSION: Clinicians should recognize these potential immune-mediated adverse effects to provide effective and timely management and optimize patient care.

PMID:37254508 | DOI:10.1177/10781552231179369

12:58

PubMed articles on: Cardio-Oncology

Quantitative cardiovascular magnetic resonance findings and clinical risk factors predict cardiovascular outcomes in breast cancer patients

PLoS One. 2023 May 30;18(5):e0286364. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286364. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) global longitudinal strain and circumferential strain abnormalities have been associated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) reduction and cardiotoxicity from oncologic therapy. However, few studies have evaluated the associations of strain and cardiovascular outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To assess CMR circumferential and global longitudinal strain (GLS) correlations with cardiovascular outcomes including myocardial infarction, systolic dysfunction, diastolic dysfunction, arrhythmias and valvular disease in breast cancer patients treated with and without anthracyclines and/or trastuzumab therapy.

METHODS: Breast cancer patients with a CMR from 2013-2017 at Yale New Haven Hospital were included. Patient co-morbidities, medications, and cardiovascular outcomes were obtained from chart review. Biostatistical analyses, including Pearson correlations, competing risk regression model, and competing risk survival curves comparing the two groups were analyzed.

RESULTS: 116 breast cancer with CMRs were included in our analysis to assess differences between Anthracycline/Trastuzumab (AT) (62) treated versus non anthracycline/trastuzumab (NAT) (54) treated patients in terms of imaging characteristics and outcomes. More AT patients 17 (27.4%) developed systolic heart failure compared to the NAT group 6 (10.9%), p = 0.025. Statin use was associated with a significant reduction in future arrhythmias (HR 0.416; 95% CI 0.229-0.755, p = 0.004). In a sub-group of 13 patients that underwent stress CMR, we did not find evidence of microvascular dysfunction by sub-endocardial/sub-epicardial myocardial perfusion index ratio after adjusting for ischemic heart disease.

CONCLUSIONS: In our study, CMR detected signs of subclinical cardiotoxicity such as strain abnormalities despite normal LV function and abnormal circumferential strain was associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes such as valvular disease and systolic heart failure. Thus, CMR is an important tool during and after cancer treatment to identity and prognosticate cancer treatment-related cardiotoxicity.

PMID:37252927 | PMC:PMC10228774 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0286364

C

14:38

Cardiotoxicity News

PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer

BMJ. 2023 Jun 1;381:e072715. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2022-072715.

ABSTRACT

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of both morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. Venous thromboembolism, which includes both deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, affects a sizable portion of patients with malignancy and can have potentially life threatening complications. Accurate assessment of risk as well as diagnosis and treatment of this process is paramount to preventing death in this high risk population. Various risk models predictive of venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer have been developed, and knowledge of these rubrics is essential for the treating oncologist. Subgroups of particular interest are inpatients receiving chemotherapy, postoperative patients after surgical debulking, and patients undergoing radiotherapy. Numerous newer drugs have become available for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer who are at high risk of developing the disease. These include the class of drugs called direct oral anticoagulants, (DOACs) which do not require the same monitoring that other modalities have previously required and are taken by mouth, preventing the discomfort associated with subcutaneous strategies. The appropriate risk stratification and intervention to prevent venous thromboembolism are vital to the treatment of patients with cancer.

PMID:37263632 | DOI:10.1136/bmj-2022-072715

14:39

PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Accuracy of the Physicians' Intuitive Risk Estimation in the Diagnostic Management of Pulmonary Embolism: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis

J Thromb Haemost. 2023 May 30:S1538-7836(23)00438-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jtha.2023.05.023. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In patients clinically suspected of pulmonary embolism (PE), physicians often rely on an intuitive estimation ('gestalt') of PE presence. Although shown to be predictive, gestalt is criticized for its assumed variation across physicians and lack of standardization.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of gestalt in diagnosing PE and gain insight into its possible variation.

METHODS: We performed an individual patient data meta-analysis including patients suspected of PE. The primary outcome was the diagnostic accuracy of gestalt for diagnosing PE, quantified as a risk ratio (RR) between gestalt and PE from a two-stage random-effect log-binomial meta-analysis regression as well as gestalts' sensitivity and specificity. Variability of these measures was explored across different healthcare settings, publication period, PE prevalence, patient subgroups (sex, heart failure, chronic lung disease, and items of the Wells score other than gestalt), and age.

RESULTS: We analysed 20,770 patients suspected of PE from 16 original studies. The prevalence of PE in patients with and without a positive gestalt was 28.8% versus 9.1%, respectively. The overall RR was 3.02 (95%CI 2.35, 3.87) and overall sensitivity and specificity were 74% (95%CI 68-79%) and 61% (95%CI 53-68%). Although variation was observed across individual studies (I2-90.63%), diagnostic accuracy was consistent across all subgroups and healthcare settings.

CONCLUSIONS: A positive gestalt was associated with a threefold increased risk of PE in suspected patients. Although variation was observed across studies, the RR of gestalt was similar across prespecified subgroups and healthcare settings, exemplifying its diagnostic value for all patients suspected of PE.

PMID:37263381 | DOI:10.1016/j.jtha.2023.05.023

14:39

PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Current status and hotspots evolution in myeloproliferative neoplasm: a bibliometric analysis from 2001 to 2022

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2023 May;27(10):4510-4519. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202305_32457.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: In the last 20 years, the field of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) has changed dramatically. This study aims to provide new ideas for the scientific research of MPN by systematically combing the literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used to carry out a bibliometric analysis of MPN papers to visualize the development process, research hotspots, and cutting-edge trends in clinical practice, mechanisms, and management strategies related to MPN.

RESULTS: 1,099 authors from 736 institutions in 113 countries/regions published 11,922 papers in 1,807 academic journals. The United States and Italy were in the leading positions in this research field. Mayo Clinic is the institution with the largest number of publications. Only a few countries and institutions have shown active cooperation. Ayalew Tefferi and Ruben A. Mesa are outstanding contributors to the field. Blood and Leukemia are considered influential journals based on publications and citations. In this field, the research of MPN mainly focuses on the occurrence and progress mechanism of MPN, the clinical significance of non-driving gene mutation, optimization of primary and secondary thromboprophylaxis, clinical research of long-acting interferon and JAK2 inhibitors, and exploration of better therapies for myelofibrosis (primary and secondary) and post-MPN acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

CONCLUSIONS: The research is in a stage of rapid development. The collaboration between different institutions or countries (regions) still has room to grow. The hotspot analysis shows that the research of MPN mainly focuses on gene mutation, thrombosis, new drug applications, disease progression, etc.

PMID:37259732 | DOI:10.26355/eurrev_202305_32457

14:39

PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Thromboprophylaxis for COVID-19: Time to ask for an extension?

Vasc Med. 2023 Jun 1:1358863X231175183. doi: 10.1177/1358863X231175183. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:37259519 | DOI:10.1177/1358863X231175183

14:39

PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Thrombosis in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Neoreviews. 2023 Jun 1;24(6):e356-e369. doi: 10.1542/neo.24-6-e356.