Tyrosine kinase inhibitors and atherosclerosis: A close but complicated relationship

Eur J Pharmacol. 2023 Sep 5:954:175869. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175869. Epub 2023 Jun 25.

Abstract

Targeted cancer therapies have revolutionized the treatment of the disease in the past decade. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) class of drugs is a widely used option for treating various cancers. Despite numerous advances, clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated the atherosclerosis-inducing properties of these drugs that can cause adverse cardiovascular events. TKIs also have an atherosclerosis-preventing role in patients with cancer through different mechanisms under various conditions, suggesting that specific drugs play different roles in atherosclerosis regulation. Given these contradictory properties, this review summarizes the outcomes of previously performed clinical and basic experiments and shows how the targeted effects of novel TKIs affect atherosclerosis. Future collaborative efforts are warranted to enhance our understanding of the association between TKIs and atherosclerosis.

Keywords: Adverse coronary artery disease; Atherosclerosis; Cancer; Chemotherapy; Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Atherosclerosis* / chemically induced
  • Atherosclerosis* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors