Vascular and Metabolic Implications of Novel Targeted Cancer Therapies : Focus on Kinase Inhibitors

Novel targeted cancer therapies, especially kinase inhibitors, have revolutionized the treatment of many cancers and have dramatically improved the survival of several types of malignancies. Because kinases not only are important in cancer development and progression, but also play a critical role in the cardiovascular (CV) system and metabolic homeostasis, important CV and metabolic sequelae have been associated with several types of kinase inhibitors. This paper reviews the incidences and highlights potential mechanisms of vascular and metabolic perturbations associated with 3 classes of commonly used kinase inhibitors that target the vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway, the ABL kinase, and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway. We propose preventive, screening, monitoring, and management strategies for CV care of patients treated with these novel agents.