EM2511I "Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer: A Dangerous Liaison" (IM GR-112125)

Purpose and Overview

Cardiovascular disease and cancer—traditionally viewed as separate clinical entities—share convergent inflammatory pathways, risk factors, and therapeutic vulnerabilities. Emerging data now reveal a “reverse cardio-oncology” phenomenon in which ischemic cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction reshape systemic immunity and the tumor microenvironment in ways that accelerate cancer initiation, growth, and resistance to therapy. This lecture will synthesize mechanistic insights from preclinical models and translational studies to highlight how cardiovascular injury alters bone-marrow hematopoiesis, immune surveillance, and tumor immunobiology, and explore opportunities for integrated prevention and treatment strategies across both diseases.

Target Audience

UT Southwestern faculty, fellows, residents and medical students, community physicians, nurse clinicians, physician assistants and nurses.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the participant should be able to:

  • Describe how ischemic cardiovascular events—particularly myocardial infarction—reprogram systemic immunity and bone-marrow hematopoiesis in ways that impair anti-tumor immune responses.
  • Explain the mechanisms by which post-MI inflammatory signaling and altered immune cell trafficking contribute to accelerated tumor growth and a more immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
  • Identify potential therapeutic strategies to reduce cancer risk and improve cancer outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease, including approaches to target inflammation, modulate immune checkpoints, and mitigate CV toxicity of cancer therapies.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA
Course opens: 
11/24/2025
Course expires: 
12/31/2025
Cost:
$0.00
Rating: 
0

Photo: First Last, M.D.
Kathryn Moore, Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine and Cell Biology
Director, Cardiology Research Center
New York University

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA

Price

Cost:
$0.00
Please login or create an account to take this course.

Required Hardware/software

Activities should be run with recent versions of common browsers, including Internet Explorer, Firefox and Google Chrome