Vascular toxicities with VEGF inhibitor therapies –focus on hypertension and arterial thrombotic events

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway (VSP) fulfills a cardinal role in endothelial cells and its inhibition has profound cardiovascular impact. This is true not only for the normal vasculature but also for the tumor vasculature when VSP inhibitors are used as anti-angiogenic therapies. Generalized endothelial dysfunction predisposes to vasoconstriction, atherosclerosis, platelet activation, and thrombosis (arterial more than venous). All of these have been reported with VSP inhibitors and collectively give rise to vascular toxicities, the most concerning of which are arterial thromboembolic events (ATE).

Source: Journal of the American Society of Hypertension - March 22, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Rhian M. Touyz, Sandra M.S. Herrmann, Joerg Herrmann Tags: Review Article Source Type: research