Cardiovascular toxicities of systemic treatments of prostate cancer

Key Points Interest in the cardiovascular safety profiles of drugs used to treat prostate cancer has increased substantially in the past 5 years An increased incidence of cardiovascular adverse events is reported in patients undergoing prolonged androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT), those receiving treatments with novel hormonal or chemotherapeutic agents, and those receiving combination therapies Published data from phase II–III trials, expanded access or compassionate use programmes, and meta-analyses of the effects of systemic therapies, with or without regulatory approval for prostate cancer were reviewed Data are conflicting, although treatment with some drugs, including abiraterone and enzalutamide, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular adverse events Assessment and serial monitoring of cardiac function should be performed in all patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer, and particularly in those with established cardiovascular comorbidities