Cancer patients with potential eligibility for vascular endothelial growth factor antagonists use have an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases comorbidities.

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have reported the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among cancer patients following the use of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling inhibitors. However, data for patients with a history of cancer before active cancer treatment are lacking. This study aims to investigate the distribution of CVD-related comorbidities before cancer treatment in potential VEGF antagonists candidates.

METHODS

A total of 22 500 newly diagnosed cancer patients registered from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2017 were included. Cancer patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), thyroid cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and lung cancer were selected.

RESULTS

Hypertension (HTN), coronary heart diseases, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure were top CVD comorbidities among studied cancers. HTN was the most prevalent CVD (26.0%). The prevalence of HTN in RCC, CRC (33.5 and 29.4% respectively) was significantly higher than that in HCC, lung cancer, and thyroid cancer patients (25.1, 24.5, and 23.1%, respectively). Among cancer patients with HTN, the majority of cancer patients fall in grade III (75.7%) and very high cardiovascular risk level (85.4%). Out of the 5847 HTN patients, 26% were not in antihypertensive use, and 34.2% failed to achieve the target blood pressure.

CONCLUSION

Cancer patients carry a high burden of CVD-related comorbidities before the application of VEGF antagonists. HTN is the most prevalent comorbid condition, and cancer patients with HTN constitute substantial cardiovascular risks and a higher co-prevalence of other CVDs.