Lin XL, Li JR, Xie RX. Radiation-induced cardiotoxicity in lung cancer: Current landscape and future directions. World J Clin Oncol 2026; 17(6): 118494 [DOI: 10.5306/wjco.118494]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Ren-Xian Xie, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 7 Raoping Road, Shantou 515000, Guangdong Province, China. 21rxxie@stu.edu.cn
Research Domain of This Article
Oncology
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review-article
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Lin XL, Li JR, Xie RX. Radiation-induced cardiotoxicity in lung cancer: Current landscape and future directions. World J Clin Oncol 2026; 17(6): 118494 [DOI: 10.5306/wjco.118494]
World J Clin Oncol. Jun 24, 2026; 17(6): 118494 Published online Jun 24, 2026. doi: 10.5306/wjco.118494
Radiation-induced cardiotoxicity in lung cancer: Current landscape and future directions
Xiao-Luan Lin, Jia-Rong Li, Ren-Xian Xie
Xiao-Luan Lin, Jia-Rong Li, Ren-Xian Xie, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515000, Guangdong Province, China
Co-first authors: Xiao-Luan Lin and Jia-Rong Li.
Author contributions: Lin XL wrote the first draft, developed the main ideas, and led revisions; Xie RX and Li JR provided critical feedback, improved manuscript structure, and added key examples. Lin XL and Li JR contributed equally to this work as co-first authors.
AI contribution statement: DeepSeek was used during the preparation of the manuscript. None of the main text (Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion) was AI-generated. The entire content was originally written by the authors, and DeepSeek was used solely for language polishing to improve manuscript readability . No translation, data analysis, or other writing assistance was performed by AI. After using this tool, the authors reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the content of the publication. The AI tool did not participate in the design of the study or the interpretation of the results. No images in the manuscript were generated by AI.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Ren-Xian Xie, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 7 Raoping Road, Shantou 515000, Guangdong Province, China. 21rxxie@stu.edu.cn
Received: January 4, 2026 Revised: February 19, 2026 Accepted: May 19, 2026 Published online: June 24, 2026 Processing time: 170 Days and 0.1 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: This mini-review examines the evolving comprehension of radiation-induced cardiotoxicity in lung cancer, emphasizing the transition from whole-heart to cardiac substructure-focused dose evaluation and risk prediction. The primary focus is on utilizing advanced predictive modeling techniques, such as radiomics and machine learning, to achieve personalized risk stratification. Importantly, the methodological paradigm developed for predicting radiation pneumonitis is highlighted as a crucial surrogate framework for creating analogous models for cardiotoxicity, given the similarities in injury mechanisms and data-driven modeling approaches. Additionally, the review underscores the essential need for integrated cardio-oncology management strategies in the context of combination therapies involving immunotherapy and targeted agents, with the goal of maintaining long-term cardiovascular health without compromising oncologic outcomes.
