Pharmacological strategies to bridge the gap between cancer and cardiovascular therapeutics

Abstract

Throughout the history of biomedical research, few endeavors have proven as formidable as the quest to defeat or overcome cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Indeed, these twin scourges continue to distress humanity with unrelenting ferocity. In Pharmacological Reviews, Avolio et al (2024) tease the shared molecular, cellular, and environmental hallmarks between these two seemingly disparate conditions. The authors offer a rather tempting glimpse into the potential for drug repurposing as a means to combat both maladies simultaneously. Cancer and CVD are not merely distinct entities. Rather, they are intricately intertwined through common biological pathways. The authors rigorously examined the intricate web of signaling and cellular mechanisms that underlie both conditions. They also discussed how chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and pathological tissue remodeling are common threads that weave through both conditions. Avolio et al (2024) meticulously dissected these shared mechanisms and shed light on their role in driving disease progression in both cancer and CVD. This comprehensive analysis highlights various avenues for therapeutic intervention made possible by this newfound understanding. The authors examined the concept of drug repurposing because it applies to this cardio-oncology frontier. This strategy of drug repositioning is predicted to accelerate the development of novel treatments for CVD by leveraging the vast arsenal of anticancer therapeutics already at our disposal. Though not without its challenges, this prospect offers a tantalizing shortcut to the traditionally protracted and costly process of drug discovery and development. The authors emphasized that many anticancer drugs do indeed target pathways relevant to both diseases. They followed that by suggesting that a reevaluation of these agents would therefore be only expected to yield significant benefits for patients with CVDs. This approach has indeed excited clinicians and researchers alike, offering hope for more expeditious interventions in the face of urgent medical needs. The article addresses the pharmacological facets of drug repurposing with commendable depth. The authors underscore key signaling pathwaysdsuch as extracellular signal-regulated kinase ½, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, transforming growth factor b; neurogenic locus notch homolog protein, and Myc proto-oncogene proteindthat are involved in both cancer and CVD. By pinpointing these pathways as potential targets, they provide a roadmap for future research endeavors aimed at develo** dualpurpose therapies. This emphasis on shared mechanisms not only deepens our grasp of disease biology but also lays the foundation for innovative treatment paradigms that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries.