Cardiovascular effects of methotrexate in immune‑mediated inflammatory diseases (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Andra‑Rodica Bălănescu
    • Violeta Claudia Bojincă
    • Mihai Bojincă
    • Teodora Donisan
    • Serban Mihai Bălănescu
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: November 19, 2018     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.6992
  • Pages: 1024-1029
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Abstract

The cardiovascular effects of disease‑modifying antirheumatic drugs and particularly of methotrexate (MTX) are complex and frequently incorrectly understood, which might lead to the unjustified discontinuation of this treatment. MTX, ‘the gold standard’ and first line treatment in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and other immune‑mediated inflammatory diseases, has been proven to decrease inflammation, improve cardiovascular risk factors, and reduce mortality. This is supported by both the mechanism of action, as well as a body of clinical data evidence. MTX's cardiovascular effects, although incompletely understood, are explained by its antiproliferative, immunosuppressive, anti‑inflammatory, and antiatherogenic effects. Several clinical trials have shown that MTX is associated with improved endothelial function, slower atherosclerosis progression, decreased risk of major cardiovascular adverse events, and benefits on survival. Given its systemic cardiovascular effects, MTX could be regarded as an important therapeutic agent not only to control disease activity in rheumatic diseases, but also to reduce cardiovascular risk and mortality.
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February-2019
Volume 17 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Bălănescu AR, Bojincă VC, Bojincă M, Donisan T and Bălănescu SM: Cardiovascular effects of methotrexate in immune‑mediated inflammatory diseases (Review). Exp Ther Med 17: 1024-1029, 2019
APA
Bălănescu, A., Bojincă, V.C., Bojincă, M., Donisan, T., & Bălănescu, S.M. (2019). Cardiovascular effects of methotrexate in immune‑mediated inflammatory diseases (Review). Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 17, 1024-1029. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.6992
MLA
Bălănescu, A., Bojincă, V. C., Bojincă, M., Donisan, T., Bălănescu, S. M."Cardiovascular effects of methotrexate in immune‑mediated inflammatory diseases (Review)". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 17.2 (2019): 1024-1029.
Chicago
Bălănescu, A., Bojincă, V. C., Bojincă, M., Donisan, T., Bălănescu, S. M."Cardiovascular effects of methotrexate in immune‑mediated inflammatory diseases (Review)". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 17, no. 2 (2019): 1024-1029. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.6992