Research Advances on Targets and Mechanisms in Cancers Complicated by Cardiovascular Diseases

Purpose: Cancers complicated by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are increasingly becoming major limiting factors affecting patients’ long-term quality of life and clinical outcomes. Systematic identification of therapeutic targets and their clinical development status is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to establish a target-based analytical framework to systematically map the distribution, developmental stage, maturity, and mechanistic characteristics of clinical trials investigating tumors co-occurring with CVD, thereby identifying potential therapeutic targets. Patients and Methods: We analyzed clinical trial data on treatments for cancers complicated by CVDs. A total of 58 clinical trials were included and examined across multiple dimensions, including target distribution, development stage, and disease relevance. Results: Forty-five therapeutic targets were identified, with coagulation Factor X, thrombin, and serpin family C member 1 (SERPINC1) emerging as high-frequency core targets. Most studies focused on coagulation, inflammation, and endothelial pathways. Significant variations were observed in completion status and research phase across different targets, with some demonstrating dual therapeutic and cardiovascular regulatory potentials. Conclusion: Coagulation and endothelium-related targets emerged as key links between cancer progression and cardiovascular complications. SERPINC1 and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase showed potential for synergistic therapy. This study provides a comprehensive overview of targeted therapies for tumors with concomitant CVD, revealing key pathways and under-explored mechanisms. It offers data-driven insights and directional guidance for precision treatment design. Keywords: cardiovascular disease, therapeutic target, cancer, clinical trial, cardiovascular complication