The recent creation of the ESC Cardio-Oncology Council Study Groups is a crucial development in the Council mission to enhance the field of cardio-oncology. This initiative is fundamental in assembling a team of specialists with diverse expertise to delve into the complex relationship between cancer and heart health.

These groups are essential for making strides in our understanding and handling of how cancer therapy affects cardiovascular well-being. They present an exceptional chance to improve education, in line with the ESC's core curriculum recommendations, and to lead groundbreaking research. Through collaborative efforts, the aim is to develop advanced methods for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart issues in cancer patients.

SG1: Immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapies have transformed antineoplastic treatments by targeting key regulators of the immune response, including CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1. Monoclonal antibodies directed against these immune checkpoints unleash anti-tumor immunity, leading to tumor cell death through cytolytic molecules. However, the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), either alone or in combination, can disrupt immunologic tolerance, resulting in a spectrum of immune-related adverse events (irAEs).

Chair : Carlo Gabriele Tocchetti

SG2: Basic and Translational Science

The Basic and Translational Cardio-Oncology Study Group comprises cardiovascular scientists with diverse backgrounds and expertise, spanning molecular and cellular biology, engineered cardiac tissues, animal models, and computational analyses. Our primary objective is to foster rigorous and translatable research into the mechanisms underlying cancer treatment-related cardiotoxicity and the interplay between cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Chair: Pietro Ameri

SG3: Thrombosis

Thrombosis represents a common clinical challenge in cardio-oncology, with coagulation disorders playing a significant role in the pathogenesis of many cancer diseases. Endothelial damage and increased prothrombotic readiness induced by various cancer therapies further contribute to thrombotic events.

Chair: Sebastian Szmit

SG4: Cardiovascular Imaging & Cardiac Tumors 

Imaging plays a crucial role in early cardiotoxicity detection, surveillance, and guiding therapeutic interventions in cardio-oncology. To further advance the field, the imaging working group of the ESC Council of Cardio-Oncology has been established, comprising members with a keen interest in imaging.

Cardiac tumours, whether primary or metastatic, present significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to their rarity, diverse histological types, and varied clinical presentations. Despite advancements in imaging and therapeutics, managing cardiac tumours often necessitates a multidisciplinary approach involving cardiologists, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and cardiothoracic surgeons.

Chairs: Giuseppina Novo & Ciro Santoro

SG5: Biomarkers

Cardio-oncology, a burgeoning field in clinical cardiology, recognises the heightened risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among cancer survivors, necessitating dedicated cardio-oncology services. Timely diagnosis of CVD in these patients remains a major challenge, highlighting the need for accessible and cost-effective diagnostic tools, such as biomarkers.

Chair: Rudolph de Boer

SG6: Nurses and Allied Professionals 

Nurses and allied professionals are an important part of the cardio-oncology multidisciplinary team.  Our role is to ensure that this study group is able to contribute to any statements and proposals from the Council of Cardio-Oncology. The Study Group endeavours to participate in educational sessions in cardio-oncology by contributing to webinars and workshops, foster discussions among colleagues, and advance knowledge and treatment and ultimately improve patient outcomes in cardio-oncology through a multi-disciplinary approach.

Chair: Gerry Lee

If you have any questions or you want to contact one of the Study Group, contact us