ISACS CARDIONCO-PREDICT

Advances in cancer therapies have significantly improved survival among oncology patients. However, cancer survivors and individuals with active cancer (solid or hematologic) still face a 2- to 6-fold higher risk of death from cardiac diseases compared with the general population. This increased risk is partly attributable to the cardiotoxicity of several anticancer agents and partly to the fact that the management of common cardiac conditions in oncology patients often relies on expert opinion rather than robust scientific evidence, as most cardiology trials have historically excluded patients with malignancies—particularly in the field of ischemic heart disease.

The interaction between oncology and cardiology has led to the development of cardio-oncology. Current guidelines do not provide clear recommendations for tailoring prevention or management strategies for cardiotoxicity according to sex or ethnicity, nor do they offer clear guidance on the treatment of common cardiac diseases in oncology patients. This highlights the urgent need for further research.

These knowledge gaps and the emerging disparities in care form the foundation of the research conducted by our group.