Objective: Sorafenib and Sunitinib are anti-angiogenic drugs (AAD) used in an increasing number of cancers. The most common side effect is arterial hypertension. We hypothesize that AAD lead to an early damage of large arteries which can be translated by an increase of aortic stiffness determined by the pulse wave velocity measurement (PWV).

Material and Method: In a longitudinal study, 32 patients have been treated with Sorafenib or Sunitinib. Subjects have been explored during a visit before the introduction of the treatment and then every two weeks for 2 months. Measured parameters are blood pressure, PWV, central pressure, augmentation index (AIx).

Results: 38% of the subjects have developed an early arterial hypertension requiring anti-hypertensive treatment. The initial values of brachial SBP was predictive from SBP changes under AAD while PWV and AIx was not. Furthermore, in patients who developed hypertension and required treatment with 5 to 10 mg amlodipine has been effective at decreasing SBP and MBP by −13 [−21;−4] et −8 [−14;−1] mmHg (p<0,01) respectively, and AIx, −10% [−16;−4] (p<0,001).

Conclusion: This study suggests that blood pressure at inclusion increases the risk of developing acute hypertension with AAD. It also shows that effective vasodilatation could be achieved despite small vessels disruption by AAD.