Key result
Taxanes were associated with bradycardia, atrioventricular block, and arrhythmias, exacerbated by anthracyclines, whereas vinca alkaloids rarely caused cardiotoxicity during monotherapy.
Why the study?
Antitumour herbal medicines based on pink periwinkle and yew tree alkaloids are used in combination cancer therapies, but may entail cardiotoxic effects leading to life-threatening conditions.
What are the cardiotoxic effects of taxanes and vinca alkaloids in cancer patients?
What are the cardiotoxic effects of taxanes and vinca alkaloids in cancer patients?
Taxanes are associated with significant cardiotoxicity including arrhythmias and AV block, especially when combined with anthracyclines, whereas vinca alkaloids rarely cause cardiac issues as monotherapy.
Supports arrhythmia monitoring with taxanes plus anthracyclines; leaves open prospective validation versus vinca alkaloids.
Antitumour herbal medicines based on pink periwinkle and yew tree alkaloids are included in combination therapies for many types of cancer. The use of these classes of products may entail cardiotoxic effects leading to life-threatening conditions. The aim of the study was to analyse scientific literature on cardiotoxic effects of anticancer drugs based on yew tree alkaloids (taxanes) and pink periwinkle alkaloids (vinca alkaloids). The results of the analysis demonstrated that the main manifestations of taxane-induced cardiotoxicity were bradycardia, atrioventricular block, atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Concomitant use of taxanes and anthracycline antibiotics exacerbated cardiotoxic effects of both drug classes. The use of vinca alkaloids was associated with haematological toxicity in the form of neutropenia, while cardiotoxic effect was rarely observed during monotherapy. Raising awareness among oncologists, cardiologists, and other specialists involved in the management of cancer patients about potential cardiac complications of antitumour therapy contributes to early detection of adverse reactions and allows for individual correction of treatment regimens, especially in patients with predisposition to cardiovascular disease.
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Mal et al. (2021) conducted a review in Cancer. Yew tree alkaloids (taxanes) and pink periwinkle alkaloids (vinca alkaloids) was evaluated on Cardiotoxic effects. Taxanes were associated with bradycardia, atrioventricular block, and arrhythmias, exacerbated by anthracyclines, whereas vinca alkaloids rarely caused cardiotoxicity during monotherapy.
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