ACEI/ARB and beta-blocker therapies for preventing cardiotoxicity of antineoplastic agents in breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Anthracyclines and trastuzumab are widely used to treat breast cancer but increase the risk of cardiomyopathy and heart failure. With the use of trastuzumab and anthracycline-containing medications, this study intends to evaluate the effectiveness and security of current treatments against cardiotoxicity. We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which used at least one angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), or beta-blocker (BB) to prevent cardiotoxicity of antineoplastic agents for breast cancer, in 4 databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science) from inception to 11 May 2022, without language restrictions. The outcome of interest was left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and adverse events. Stata 15 and R software 4.2.1 were used to perform all statistical analyses. The Cochrane version 2 of the risk of bias tool was used to assess the risk of bias, and the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) assessment was used to appraise the quality of the evidence. Fifteen randomized clinical studies with a total of 1977 patients were included in the analysis. The included studies demonstrated statistically significant LVEF in the ACEI/ARB and BB treatment groups (χ2 = 184.75, I2 = 88.6%, p = 0.000; SMD 0.556, 95% CI 0.299 to 0.813). In an exploratory subgroup analysis, the benefit of experimental agents on LVEF, whether anthracyclines or trastuzumab, was prominent in patients treated with ACEIs, ARBs, and BBs. Compared to placebo, ACEI/ARB and BB treatments in breast cancer patients protect against cardiotoxicity after trastuzumab and anthracycline-containing medication treatment, indicating a benefit for both.

Gao Y ，Wang R ，Jiang J ，Hu Y ，Li H ，Wang Y ... -  《-》

A systematic review and meta-analysis of beta-blockers and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors for preventing left ventricular dysfunction due to anthracyclines or trastuzumab in patients with breast cancer.

Trastuzumab and anthracyclines, often used in the treatment of breast cancer, may impair myocardial function, and reduce left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), potentially causing heart failure. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have evaluated the effects of beta-blockers (BBs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) on trastuzumab- and anthracycline-associated cardiotoxicity. We report a meta-analysis of these RCTs in patients with breast cancer. The primary analysis was on the effect of BBs and ACEI/ARBs on LVEF in patients treated with either trastuzumab or anthracyclines. A secondary analysis was done investigating the effect of BBs or ACEI/ARBs on LVEF in trastuzumab and anthracycline treatments. Only RCTs were included using the search term 'ARBs, ACEIs, BBs, anthracyclines, trastuzumab, and breast cancer' in PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL up to 31 March 2021. A meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the mean difference (MD) in LVEF between intervention and placebo groups at follow-up. A total of nine RCTs (n = 1362) were included in the analysis. All patients were women. BBs and ACEI/ARBs were shown to attenuate the decline in LVEF during trastuzumab and anthracycline treatments [MD: 2.4; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.3-4.2 and MD: 1.5; 95% CI: -0.6 to 3.7]. Compared with placebo, LVEF was significantly higher in patients assigned to BB or ACEI/ARB on trastuzumab (MD: 2.3; 95% CI: 0.0-4.6) but not on anthracyclines (MD: 1.9; 95% CI: -0.5 to 4.2). Both BB and ACEI/ARB therapies were associated with the preservation of LVEF during trastuzumab and anthracycline-containing regimens as compared with placebo, suggesting both to be beneficial.

Lewinter C ，Nielsen TH ，Edfors LR ，Linde C ，Bland JM ，LeWinter M ，Cleland JGF ，Køber L ，Braunschweig F ，Mansson-Broberg A ... -  《-》

The role of cardio-protective agents in cardio-preservation in breast cancer patients receiving Anthracyclines ± Trastuzumab: a Meta-analysis of clinical studies.

Breast cancer patients often receive cardiotoxic drugs such as anthracyclines (ANT) and Trastuzumab. Numerous trials have tested angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), and beta-blockers (BB) as monotherapy or in combination to reprogram cardiac function dynamics in these patients, but no clear conclusions have been reached thus far, due to evident heterogeneity in the design of clinical studies. This PRISMA-guided systematic review and meta-analysis assessed a pooled effect estimate of the potential benefit/harm of ACEi/ARB/BB in breast cancer patients treated with ANT ± Trastuzumab. The protocol was registered on the PROSPERO database. Electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Central, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched from inception until February 2019. Twenty-two prospective studies comprising of 2,302 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The 16 studies testing the protective effects of ACEi/ARB/BB after immediate completion of chemotherapy showed a significant lower difference in the mean change of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patiens receiving cardio-protective drugs as compared to controls, with a standardized mean difference [SMD = -2.36 (95% CI: -3.23 to -1.49), p < 0.00001] favoring the protective role of these drugs. LVEF was evaluated after 6 months after completion of chemotherapy in 3 studies, where ACEi/ARB/BB persistently showed cardio-protective effects as compared to controls [SMD = -6.54 (95% CI: -10.74 to -2.34), p = 0.002]. After 1 year from completion of chemotherapy, ACEi/ARB/BB preserved beneficial effects on LVEF vs control [SMD = -5.37 (95% CI: -9.31 to -1.43), p = 0.008]. The effect of ACEi/ARB/BB on end-systolic volume (ESV) and end-diastolic volume (EDV) were evaluated immediately after chemotherapy completion and after 1 year. No significant protective effect was apparent. On the other hand, end-diastolic diameter (EDD) was significantly spared in the ACEi/ARB/BB group vs control after chemotherapy completion [SMD = -1.11 (95% CI: -1.88 to -0.35), p = 0.004]. Heart failure as a clinical endpoint was assessed in 11 trials. The incidence of heart failure was significantly lower in the ACEi/ARB/BB group as compared to control [Odds ratio = 0.12 (95% CI: 0.03 to 0.45), p = 0.002]. ACEi/ARB/BB may act as cardioprotective agents in breast cancer patients who undergo ANT ± Trastuzumab. More studies are required to better assess the magnitude of the cardiotoxicity hazards of ANT ± Trastuzumab, with more precise assessment of the effect of ACEi/ARB/BB on cardio-protection.

Elghazawy H ，Venkatesulu BP ，Verma V ，Pushparaji B ，Monlezun DJ ，Marmagkiolis K ，Iliescu CA ... -  《-》

Prevention of anthracycline and trastuzumab-induced decline in left ventricular ejection fraction with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blocker: a narrative systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

Cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) is a complication of selected cancer therapy agents associated with decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) have established benefits in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, but their efficacy for preventing CTRCD remains controversial. This narrative systematic review assessed the efficacy and safety of ACEI/ARB in the prevention of cancer therapy LVEF decline. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane from January 1980 to June 2022. Studies of interest were randomised controlled trials of patients with normal LVEF and active malignancy receiving cancer therapy, randomised to receive either an ACEI or ARB compared with a control group. The outcome was the change in LVEF from baseline to the end of the follow-up period. Death, clinical heart failure and adverse drug reactions were recorded. A total of 3731 search records were screened and 12 studies were included, comprising a total of 1645 participants. Nine studies assessed the prevention of anthracycline-induced LVEF decline, of which five showed a beneficial effect (1%-14% higher LVEF in treated groups), whereas four studies showed no effect. Three studies assessed the prevention of trastuzumab-induced LVEF decline, of which one showed a beneficial effect (4% higher LVEF) in a subset of participants. There are mixed data regarding the efficacy of ACEI/ARB in preventing the LVEF decline in patients undergoing anthracycline or trastuzumab therapy, with evidence suggesting no clinically meaningful benefit observed in recent studies.

Lee S ，Alsamarrai A ，Xiao A ，Wang TKM ... -  《-》

The Preventive Role of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/Angiotensin-II Receptor Blockers and β-Adrenergic Blockers in Anthracycline- and Trastuzumab-Induced Cardiotoxicity.

Blanter JB ，Frishman WH 《-》