Common Cardio Drugs Appear Safe for Multiple Myeloma Patients
Many adults diagnosed with multiple myeloma also manage cardiovascular conditions, often requiring medications for heart health. New international research offers reassuring news: commonly prescribed cardiovascular drugs generally do not negatively impact survival rates for individuals undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma.
Study Findings and Scope
Published in Scientific Reports, the study analyzed data from three major Phase III clinical trials – MAIA, POLLUX, and CASTOR – involving a total of 1,804 patients. Researchers investigated whether the continued leverage of widely prescribed cardiovascular medications affected progression-free survival, overall survival, or the incidence of severe treatment-related adverse events. The research was a collaboration among scientists and oncologists in the United States, Australia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
“Many patients with multiple myeloma require cardiovascular medications. Our results support the idea that several common drug classes can often be continued without clear evidence of harming survival outcomes in the trial setting,” explained Dr. Ahmad Abuhelwa, the study’s lead author and Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics at the University of Sharjah.
Cardiovascular Medications Examined
The study focused on several common classes of cardiovascular drugs, including:
- Antihypertensives (blood pressure medications)
- Beta-blockers
- ACE inhibitors
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
- Diuretics
- Statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs)
ACE Inhibitors/ARBs: A Nuance
While most cardiovascular medications showed no significant negative impact, the use of ACE inhibitors or ARBs presented a more complex picture. These medications were associated with longer progression-free survival, but also with a higher risk of grade ≥3 adverse events, including kidney-related and metabolic complications.
“The signal seen with ACE inhibitors/ARBs suggests clinicians may want to pay closer attention to safety, especially kidney function and metabolic parameters, in patients on these agents during therapy—particularly in older or more vulnerable patients,” noted Dr. Ziad Abuhelwa, a Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellow at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida.
Reassurance for Patients and Clinicians
Despite the caution regarding ACE inhibitors/ARBs, Dr. Abuhelwa emphasized that the findings should not prompt automatic discontinuation of these medications. Instead, they highlight the demand for careful monitoring and further research. “Cardiovascular medications are not just background—they’re part of real-world cancer care, and we should study them systematically to improve safety,” he stated.
Professor Humaid Al-Shamsi, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Burjeel Cancer Institute, added that the study addresses a common question from patients: “In the clinic, patients often ask whether their heart medications will interfere with cancer treatment. Studies like this aid us answer with evidence—and identify where closer monitoring might be needed.”
The Need for Further Research
The authors emphasize the importance of systematically collecting and analyzing data on concomitant medications in oncology trials and real-world registries. This will allow clinicians to better anticipate adverse events and personalize supportive care for patients. Future research will also explore the impact of medication dosage, duration of use, adherence, and interactions with specific myeloma treatment regimens.
“Most myeloma patients aren’t just fighting cancer—they’re also managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and other cardiovascular conditions. We wanted to understand whether these everyday medications change cancer outcomes or safety in the context of modern myeloma therapy,” Dr. Abuhelwa concluded.
Key Takeaways
- Commonly prescribed cardiovascular medications generally do not worsen survival outcomes in multiple myeloma patients.
- ACE inhibitors and ARBs may be associated with improved progression-free survival but also a higher risk of serious side effects, requiring careful monitoring.
- Further research is needed to optimize cardiovascular supportive care for individuals undergoing myeloma treatment.