Innovations in cardio-oncology research

The intersection of oncology and cardiology presents a complex landscape fraught with challenges and opportunities. From optimizing chemotherapeutics to refining radiation therapy strategies, there is a growing emphasis on minimizing treatment-related toxicity while maximizing therapeutic efficacy. Despite strides in the personalization/deescalation of cancer therapeutics and the rising use of targeted therapies, accurately predicting and managing cardiotoxicity remains a challenge. Recent advancements in cardio-oncology have centered on precision medicine facilitated by artificial intelligence technologies and digital health. This chapter explores the ongoing cutting-edge research in cardio-oncology, focusing on precision medicine, artificial intelligence, digital health, and novel cardioprotective agents through four broad research topics. (i) Cardiotoxicity mitigation strategies: Explores personalized cancer therapeutics through advancements in genomics in the spectrum of precision medicine. (ii) Advancements in cardiotoxicity risk assessment tools through artificial intelligence and evolving biomarkers: Focuses on machine learning and natural language processing cardiovascular risk predictive modeling and clinical application tools. It includes discussions on evolving biomarkers such as human-induced pluripotent stem cells and variations in CYP450 genomic profiles. (iii) Digital health research: Focuses on developments in wearable devices. (iv) Newer cardioprotective strategies: use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in cardiotoxicity prevention and treatment in cancer patients and survivors. It includes the integration of genomic biomarkers such as human-induced pluripotent stem cells, in assessing the impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in cardio-oncology. Each subsection summarizes the current knowledge, evolving innovative research, its challenges, and future directions as a path to further the field of cardio-oncology.