Key result
Multimodal cancer therapy is linked to accelerated coronary atherosclerosis and acute coronary events.
Why the study?
Cardiovascular toxicity associated with anti-tumor therapies is gaining attention, as these therapies may elevate acute coronary syndrome risk, particularly in patients with underlying subclinical atherosclerosis.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Multimodal anti-tumor therapy, including HER2-targeted agents and radiotherapy, may act as a vascular stressor that accelerates the progression of pre-existing subclinical coronary atherosclerosis, leading to acute ischemic events.
May prompt closer CV monitoring in cardio-oncology patients with subclinical atherosclerosis; hypothesis-generating case report requiring prospective validation.
Cardiovascular toxicity associated with anti-tumor therapies is garnering increased attention. Anti-tumor therapies may elevate the risk of acute coronary syndrome, particularly in patients with underlying subclinical atherosclerosis. In this context, a 58-year-old female patient with HER2-positive breast cancer experienced an acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction following chemotherapy, dual HER2-targeted therapy, and radiotherapy to the left breast. Prior to the initiation of anti-tumor treatment, chest-computed tomography had identified coronary artery calcification. Angiographic evaluation revealed subtotal occlusion of the middle segment of the left circumflex artery extending to the first obtuse marginal branch, accompanied by multivessel coronary atherosclerotic lesions. Coronary blood flow was restored following emergency interventional treatment. This case indicates that multimodal anti-tumor therapy may facilitate the progression of coronary atherosclerosis, thereby elevating the risk of acute coronary events.
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Dai et al. (2026) conducted a case report in HER2-positive breast cancer and acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (n=1). Multimodality cancer therapy (chemotherapy, HER2-targeted therapy, radiotherapy) was evaluated on Acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Multimodal anti-tumor therapy may facilitate the progression of coronary atherosclerosis and elevate the risk of acute coronary events in patients with pre-existing subclinical atherosclerosis.
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