Cardiovascular Toxicity of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract

In the present review the cardiovascular complications in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) are discussed. It covers current views on pathogenesis of TKI cardiovascular toxicity. The pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is considered as a part of the so-called pathophysiological continuum, i.e. a complex of processes developing at the molecular and cellular levels before clinical symptoms of the above diseases occur. Cardiovascular toxicity of certain TKIs can contribute to progression of pathophysiological processes in CML patients. The study of mechanisms underlying cardiovascular complications of TKI-based therapy is essential for evaluating the risks of their development in each patient. Identification of CVD predictors during TKI-based therapy can allow to elaborate a scheme for cardiovascular monitoring and safe patient management under consideration of individual risks and to avoid severe life-threatening complications.