Antitumor effects of cardiovascular drugs

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and oncological diseases are the leading causes of death in the world. The widespread use of cardiovascular drugs makes it important to study their potential antitumor and carcinogenic effects. The article provides information on the most relevant clinical and experimental studies, which have obtained data on possible antitumor or carcinogenic effects of drugs of basic classes used in cardiology. Current information on the use of acetylsalicylic acid to prevent colorectal cancer is discussed, as well as possible antitumor effects of clopidogrel. The results of studies demonstrating the effect of statins on the risk of cancer development in various localizations are presented. The controversial data on the influence of ACE inhibitors and sartans on the risk of lung cancer and other localizations are discussed. The results of research into beta-blockers as adjuvant therapy for breast cancer are analyzed. The results of studies in which data on possible carcinogenic effects of calcium channel blockers and diuretics were obtained are presented. For each discussed class of drugs, presumed mechanisms of antitumor or carcinogenic action are indicated. The need to develop and introduce drugs to reduce cardiovascular and cancer morbidity into clinical practice by influencing the general pathophysiological mechanisms of CVD and cancer is emphasized. Systemic chronic persistent inflammation is a pathogenetic link between aging, atherosclerosis and carcinogenesis. The results of the CANTOS study opened up new perspectives in the treatment of CANTOS and oncological diseases, and provided a powerful incentive for planning and conducting further studies.

Keywords

• cardiovascular diseases
• cancer
• acetylsalicylic acid
• clopidogrel
• statins
• inflammation