Cardiotoxicity

While outcomes in cancer patients have dramatically improved with the development of novel cancer chemotherapy and combination treatment, this is nonetheless associated with emerging concerns over drug-induced cardiotoxicity. Moreover, the recent incorporation of targeted therapies and immunotherapy into therapeutic regimens has widened the cardiotoxic spectrum. Awareness of anticancer drug-induced cardiotoxicity is essential for adequate patient monitoring and early cardiotoxicity detection and treatment. This rising concern is also reflected in drug development, as efforts have been made to improve the characterization of potential cardiotoxicity of new compounds during the early phases of development and to design safer drugs. This chapter summarizes the major cardiotoxic effects and pathophysiology of a large number of antineoplastic treatments currently in use. Existing recommendations for early treatment and future development are also described.