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Integrative Pathways in Cardio-Oncology: From Risk Stratification to Recovery through Compassionate and Precise Care

Oct 24, 2025
R. L. Lapitan, MD | raul.lapitan522@gmail.com @closer.MD

Integrative Pathways in Cardio-Oncology: From Risk Stratification to Recovery through Compassionate and Precise Care

Tercera Serie de Cardio-Oncologia, 3rd MMC CV Oncology Postgraduate Course in collaboration with International Cardio-Oncology Society-Pilipinas Chapter

October 24, 2025 | Tower 2 Auditorium, 8th Floor | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

The 3rd CV Oncology Postgraduate Course brings together leading experts, fellows-in-training, and healthcare professionals to deepen the dialogue on one of the most critical and rapidly advancing fields in modern medicine: cardio-oncology. With the theme, “Integrative Pathways in Cardio-Oncology: From Risk Stratification to Recovery through Compassionate and Precise Care,” the course emphasizes a patient-centered and evidence-driven approach to cardiovascular health in individuals with cancer.

The day-long program features cutting-edge sessions spanning the spectrum of cardio-oncology challenges—from genetic risk prediction and chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicities, to the management of arrhythmias, immune-related adverse events, coronary interventions, and survivorship care.

The program opens with the launching of the ICOS (International Cardio-Oncology Society) Website, marking a milestone in global collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Esteemed leaders including Dr. Joel Dela Rosa, Chairman of the Section of Cardiology at Makati Medical Center, and Dr. Stephen J. Casselli, Executive Director of ICOS, will deliver the welcome remarks.

Posthumous Award Presentation: Honoring Dr. Renato Ong, Jr., FPCP, FPCC

Immediately following the ICOS Website Launch, a Posthumous Award Presentation will be held in honor of Dr. Renato Ong, Jr., FPCP, FPCC, a respected clinician, mentor, and advocate of compassionate cardiovascular care.

Dr. Ong’s lifelong dedication to advancing the practice of cardiology and his unwavering commitment to patient welfare have left an enduring legacy in the medical community. His contributions continue to inspire generations of physicians and healthcare professionals to pursue excellence guided by empathy, integrity, and service.

This tribute recognizes not only his professional achievements but also the profound impact of his mentorship and humanity on colleagues, trainees, and patients whose lives he touched.

Highlights of the Scientific Sessions

Precision Medicine in Cardio-Oncology: Ready for Prime Time?                            

This session will be moderated by Dr. Joseph Raymond Cuaresma (Echocardiography, Makati Medical Center), features Dr. April Grace Dion-Berboso (Clinical Genetics, UP-PGH) who will discussed the role of genetics and individualized approaches in predicting and managing cardiotoxicity. The session underscores how precision medicine is shaping the future of cardio-oncology, paving the way for more tailored and effective patient care.

Anthracycline-Induced Cardiomyopathy in the Young: A Race Against Time

This session focuses on one of the most pressing challenges in cardio-oncology—the early onset of cardiotoxicity among younger cancer patients receiving anthracycline therapy. Interesting case will be presented by a UST Cardiology Fellow, Dr. Marie Christie Pedregosza, with Dr. Paul Jon Ablaza as moderator from Echocardiography Section of the University of Santo Tomas and will be enriched by the perspectives of Dr. Raul Lapitan (Echocardiography, Makati Medical Center) and Dr. Roy Justin Labriaga (Oncology, Makati Medical Center). The discussion highlights the urgent need for timely diagnosis, vigilant monitoring, and integrative management to prevent irreversible heart failure in this vulnerable population.

Cancer-Associated Atrial Fibrillation: Between Stroke and Bleed

The session will tackle the complex issue and highlighting the difficult clinical decisions surrounding anticoagulation in this high-risk population. A real-world case will be presented by Dr. Dean Geroche, Cardiology Fellow at Makati Medical Center, setting the stage for a multidisciplinary discussion. It will be moderated by Dr. Lea Arcelia Porciuncula, a Vascular Specialist from St. Luke’s Medical center, Quezon City. Providing expert insights are Dr. Ma. Kristina Ozaeta-Lorilla (Cardio-Oncology, Makati Medical Center), Dr. Luigi Pierre Segundo (The Medical City and Makati Medical Center), and Dr. Jean Rachel Catapia (Hematology, Makati Medical Center), who will examine the challenges of balancing thromboembolic risk and bleeding complications in cancer patients with atrial fibrillation, with the goal of guiding safer, more effective patient-centered care.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor–Induced Myocarditis: A Silent Killer

The session will delve into the critical topic of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Myocarditis: A Silent Killer, a life-threatening yet often under-recognized complication of cancer immunotherapy. An engaging case will be presented by Dr. Andre Enrique Valencia, Cardiology Fellow at St. Luke’s Medical Center–BGC, providing real-world insights into the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of this condition. Expert perspectives will be shared by discussants Dr. Kathleen Joyce Ozaeta (Cardio-Oncology, Section of Cardiology, St. Luke’s Medical Center–BGC) and Dr. Marvin Mendoza (Oncology, Department of Medicine, St. Luke’s Medical Center–BGC), offering a multidisciplinary approach to improve early recognition, management, and patient outcomes in this high-risk scenario. It will be moderated by Dr. Maria Katrina Tan, an echocardiographer from St. Luke’s Medical Center, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Long-Term Heart Failure in the Cancer Survivor: The Forgotten Population

The session will focus on survivorship and the chronic cardiovascular burden of cancer therapies, highlighting the long-term challenges faced by patients beyond active treatment. It will be moderated by Dr. Arthur Bagadiong, an Echocardiographer from St. Luke’s Medical Center, QC, with a case presentation by Dr. Mikhail Jude Opay, Cardiology Fellow at The Medical City. Providing expert insights as discussants are Dr. Frances Carandang (Cardio-Oncology, Section of Cardiology, The Medical City), Dr. Glenn Rose Advincula (Heart Failure, Section of Cardiology, The Medical City), and Dr. Alma Calavera (Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Medical City). This multidisciplinary discussion aims to integrate perspectives from cardiology and hematology to improve patient outcomes across the cancer care continuum.

  • Coronary Artery Disease in the Setting of Advanced Cancer: Who Benefits from PCI?

This will be moderated by Dr. Wilbert Allan Gumatay (Interventional Cardiology, Manila Doctors Hospital) and a case will be presented by Dr. Conrad Estanislao (Interventional Cardiology, St. Luke’s Medical Center–Quezon City). Joining the discussion will be Dr. Edgar Christian Cuaresma (Oncology, St. Luke’s Medical Center–Quezon City) and Dr. Ramiro Thadeus Pablo (Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, St. Luke’s Medical Center–BGC). The session will explore the nuanced decision-making process in offering PCI to cancer patients with advanced disease, weighing risks, benefits, and overall patient goals of care.

Closing Ceremonies

As the day’s rich scientific exchange draws to a close, the program culminates with the closing remarks from Dr. Saturnino P. Javier, Medical Director and Interim Co-President and CEO of Makati Medical Center, and Dr. Raul Lapitan, Interim President of ICOS–Pilipinas Chapter. Their messages will reaffirm the shared commitment to advancing cardio-oncology as a collaborative, compassionate, and evolving discipline in Philippine and global healthcare.

A Convergence of Disciplines, A Commitment to Compassion

This postgraduate course embodies the core mission of cardio-oncology: to integrate risk stratification, early detection, and advanced management strategies while never losing sight of compassion in patient care. By uniting cardiologists, oncologists, hematologists, surgeons, and fellows under one academic roof, the program fosters a truly multidisciplinary platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

As the field of cardio-oncology continues to evolve, this meeting reaffirms the collective commitment to ensuring that patients with cancer not only survive—but thrive—with healthier hearts and longer lives.

 

The MMC Section of Cardio-Oncology in cooperation with the International Cardio-Oncology Society (ICOS)– Pilipinas Chapter, are pleased to announce our upcoming

3rd Postgraduate Course on October 24, 2025 (Friday) from 7:30 to 4pm at the MMC 8th Floor Tower 2 auditorium (face to face).

As we continue to advance the field of cardio-oncology in the Philippines, this event will bring together leading experts, clinicians, and researchers to explore cutting-edge strategies in managing cardiovascular complications in cancer care.

See you there!!

Registration link:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=IEx2RVwuOU-OmUJpz4WH-0k9K3heVjZCtMxbiZ_Z--tUQUlTTzY3QkNDREZDV0RNODE4RFc3M0U3Ti4u&origin=QRCode

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