Role of preeclampsia-related angiogenic factors in sunitinib cardiotoxicity: Two cases and review of the literature - Abstract

Sunitinib is a multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor widely used in clear cell renal carcinoma and in imatinib-resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Sunitinib-associated cardiotoxicity has been recognized and includes hypertension, left ventricular dysfunction and congestive heart failure; nevertheless, few data exist in the literature regarding the role of preeclampsia-related angiogenic factors in sunitinib cardiotoxicity. We report a case of sunitinib-induced severe left ventricular dysfunction that occurred in a hypertensive woman with metastatic renal carcinoma and a history of preeclampsia, and a case of sunitinib-induced preeclampsia-like syndrome in a normotensive patient with an imatinib-resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Our experience confirms that inhibition of angiogenic factors to treat cancer is a novel challenge for the oncologist and requires the cardiologist's support.

Written by:
Gallucci G, Tartarone A, Tocchetti CG, Bochicchio AM, Coccaro M, Capobianco A, Maurea N, Improta G, Zupa A, Aieta M.   Are you the author?
Cardiology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Basilicata IRCCS, Via Padre Pio 1, 85028 Rionero in Vulture (PZ), Italy.

Reference: Future Oncol. 2013 Jan;9(1):127-33.
doi: 10.2217/fon.12.162


PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23252570

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