Role of cancer treatment in long-term overall and cardiovascular mortality after childhood cancer

Late Effects in Childhood Cancer Survivors: Early Studies, Survivor Cohorts, and Significant Contributions to the Field of Late Effects

With improvement in cure of childhood cancer came the responsibility to investigate the long-term morbidity and mortality associated with the treatments accountable for this increase in survival. Several large cohorts of childhood cancer survivors have been established throughout Europe and North America to facilitate research on long-term complications of cancer treatment. The cohorts have made significant contributions to the understanding of early mortality, somatic late complications, and psychosocial outcomes among childhood cancer survivors, which has been translated into the design of new treatment protocols for pediatric cancers, with the goal to reduce the potential risk and severity of late effects.

Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Challenges After Treatment of Childhood Cancer

Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for developing cardiovascular disease and pulmonary disease related to cancer treatment. This might not become apparent until many years after treatment and varies from subclinical to life-threatening disease. Important causes are anthracyclines and radiotherapy involving heart, head, or neck for cardiovascular disease, and bleomycin, busulfan, nitrosoureas, radiation to the chest, and lung or chest surgery for pulmonary disease. Most effects are dose dependent, but genetic risk factors have been discovered. Treatment options are limited. Prevention and regular screening are crucial. Survivors should be encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle, and modifiable risk factors should be addressed.

Hyponatremia in Patients with Hematologic Diseases

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder in clinical practice and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. It is frequently encountered in hematologic patients with either benign or malignant diseases. Several underlying mechanisms, such as hypovolemia, infections, toxins, renal, endocrine, cardiac, and liver disorders, as well as the use of certain drugs appear to be involved in the development or the persistence of hyponatremia. This review describes the pathophysiology of hyponatremia and discusses thoroughly the contributing factors and mechanisms that may be encountered specifically in patients with hematologic disorders. The involvement of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion and renal salt wasting syndrome (RSWS) in the development of hyponatremia in such patients, as well as their differential diagnosis and management, are also presented. Furthermore, the distinction between true hyponatremia and pseudohyponatremia is explained. Finally, a practical algorithm for the evaluation of hyponatremia in hematologic patients, as well as the principles of hyponatremia management, are included in this review.

Unraveling heterogeneity of the clinical pharmacogenomic guidelines in oncology practice among major regulatory bodies

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) implementation in clinical practice is steadily increasing. PGx uses genetic information to personalize medication use, which increases medication efficacy and decreases side effects. The availability of clinical PGx guidelines is essential for its implementation in clinical settings. Currently, there are few organizations/associations responsible for releasing those guidelines, including the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium, Dutch Pharmacogenetics Working Group, the Canadian Pharmacogenomics Network for Drug Safety and the French National Network of Pharmacogenetics. According to the US FDA, oncology medications are highly correlated to PGx biomarkers. Therefore, summarizing the PGx guidelines for oncology drugs will positively impact the clinical decisions for cancer patients. This review aims to scrutinize side-by-side available clinical PGx guidelines in oncology.

Heart dose linked with cardiac events and overall survival in lung cancer radiotherapy: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the link between heart dose and overall survival, the link between heart dose and cardiac events and whether radiation-induced heart diseases were associated with overall survival in lung cancer radiotherapy.

METHODS

We performed a literature search by using Pubmed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. Pairs of reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion criteria, extracted data, assessed methodological quality, and publication bias. The primary end points included overall survival and cardiac events. I was calculated in a heterogeneity assessment. Publication bias was evaluated by using Begg funnel plot and Egger test.

RESULTS

Ten studies including 1 randomized controlled trial, 3 post hoc analysis of prospective trials, and 6 cohort studies were identified. The meta-analysis showed that heart volume receiving ≥5 Gy (HV5) (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00-1.01), heart volume receiving ≥30 Gy (HV30) (HR = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00-1.02), heart volume receiving ≥50 Gy (HV50) (HR = 1.05; 95%CI: 1.00-1.10), and mean heart dose (MHD) (HR = 1.01; 95%CI:1.00-1.02) all were associated with worse overall survival. In addition, the MHD (HR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.02-1.05), HV5 (HR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.03), and HV30 (HR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.03) were significantly associated with all grade cardiac events. Meanwhile, compared with those who did not receive radiotherapy, the radiotherapy group experienced a significantly increased risk for cardiac-specific mortality (HR = 1.297; 95% CI: 1.213-1.387). However, the results did not show that cardiac events were associated with overall survival in lung cancer radiotherapy (HR = 1.472; 95% CI: 0.988-2.193).

CONCLUSION

Exposure of the heart to radiation increased the risk of cardiac events during radiotherapy for lung cancer. Meanwhile, heart dose including HV5 and HV30 were predictors of overall survival in lung cancer radiotherapy. It is necessary to constrain the heart dose when perform thoracic radiation therapy to decrease the incidence of cardiac events and improve the overall survival.

Exercise cardiovascular magnetic resonance reveals reduced cardiac reserve in pediatric cancer survivors with impaired cardiopulmonary fitness

BACKGROUND

Pediatric cancer survivors are at increased risk of cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. Reduced peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2) is associated with impaired cardiac reserve (defined as the increase in cardiac function from rest to peak exercise) and heart failure risk, but it is unclear whether this relationship exists in pediatric cancer survivors. This study sought to investigate the presence of reduced peak VO2 in pediatric cancer survivors with increased risk of heart failure, and to assess its relationship with resting cardiac function and cardiac haemodynamics and systolic function during exercise.

METHODS

Twenty pediatric cancer survivors (8-24 years; 10 male) treated with anthracycline chemotherapy ± radiation underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing to quantify peak VO2, with a value < 85% of predicted defined as impaired peak VO2. Resting cardiac function was assessed using 2- and 3-dimensional echocardiography, with cardiac reserve quantified from resting and peak exercise heart rate, stroke volume index (SVI) and cardiac index (CI) using exercise cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR).

RESULTS

Twelve of 20 survivors (60%) had reduced peak VO2 (70 ± 16% vs. 97 ± 14% of age and gender predicted). There were no differences in echocardiographic or CMR measurements of resting cardiac function between survivors with normal or impaired peak VO2. However, those with reduced peak VO2 had diminished cardiac reserve, with a lesser increase in CI and SVI during exercise (Interaction P < 0.01 for both), whilst the heart rate response was similar (P = 0.71).

CONCLUSIONS

Whilst exercise intolerance is common among pediatric cancer survivors, it is poorly explained by resting measures of cardiac function. In contrast, impaired exercise capacity is associated with impaired haemodynamics and systolic functional reserve measured during exercise. Consequently, measures of cardiopulmonary fitness and cardiac reserve may aid in early identification of survivors with heightened risk of long-term heart failure.

Reducing Heart Dose with Protons and Cardiac Substructure Sparing for Mediastinal Lymphoma Treatment

Purpose

Electrocardiogram-gated computed tomography with coronary angiography can be used for cardiac substructure sparing (CSS) optimization, which identifies and improves avoidance of cardiac substructures when treating with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). We investigated whether intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) would further reduce dose to cardiac substructures for patients with mediastinal lymphoma.

Patients and Methods

Twenty-one patients with mediastinal lymphoma were enrolled and underwent electrocardiogram-gated computed tomography angiography during or shortly after simulation for radiotherapy planning. Thirteen patients with delineated cardiac substructures underwent comparative planning with both IMPT and IMRT. Plans were normalized for equivalent (95%) target volume coverage for treatment comparison.

Results

Thirteen patients met criteria for this study. The median size of the mediastinal lymphadenopathy was 7.9 cm at the greatest diameter. Compared with IMRT-CSS, IMPT-CSS significantly reduced mean dose to all cardiac substructures, including 3 coronary arteries and 4 cardiac valves. Use of IMPT significantly reduced average whole-heart dose from 9.6 to 4.9 Gy (P < .0001), and average mean lung dose was 9.7 vs 5.8 Gy (P < .0001). Prospectively defined clinically meaningful improvement was observed in at least 1 coronary artery in 9 patients (69%), at least 1 cardiac valve in 10 patients (77%), and whole heart in all 13 patients.

Conclusions

For patients with mediastinal lymphoma, IMPT-CSS treatment planning significantly reduced radiation dose to cardiac substructures. The significant improvements outlined in this study for proton therapy suggest possible clinical improvement in alignment with previous analyses of CSS optimization.

Assessment of Radiation Doses Delivered to Organs at Risk Among Patients With Early-Stage Favorable Hodgkin Lymphoma Treated With Contemporary Radiation Therapy

IMPORTANCE

Response-adapted randomized trials have used positron emission tomography-computed tomography to attempt to identify patients with early-stage favorable Hodgkin lymphoma (ESFHL) who could be treated with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) without radiation therapy (RT). While maximal efficacy is demonstrated with combined modality therapy, RT is often omitted in fear of late adverse effects; however, the application of modern RT could limit these toxic effects.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the radiation doses delivered to organs at risk with modern involved-site RT among patients with ESFHL treated with 20 Gy after 2 cycles of ABVD.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This case series included 42 adult patients with ESFHL (according to the German Hodgkin Study Group criteria) who were treated between 2010 and 2019, achieved complete response by positron emission tomography-computed tomography (1-3 on 5-point scale) following 2 cycles of ABVD, and then received consolidative RT. The study was conducted at a single comprehensive cancer center.

EXPOSURES

2 cycles of chemotherapy followed by 20-Gy involved-site RT.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The medical records of patients with ESFHL were examined. Organs at risk were contoured, and doses were calculated. Progression-free survival, defined from date of diagnosis to disease progression, relapse, or death, and overall survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

The cohort comprised 42 patients with ESFHL (median [range] age at diagnosis, 35 [18-74] years; 18 [43%] women; 24 [57%] with stage II disease). At a median follow-up of 44.6 (95% CI, 27.6-61.6) months, the 3-year progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 91.2% (95% CI, 74.9%-97.1%) and 97.0% (95% CI, 80.4%-99.6%), respectively. The mean heart dose was less than 5 Gy (mean, 0.8 Gy; SD, 1.5 Gy; range, 0-4.8 Gy) in all patients. The mean (SD) breast dose for both breasts was 0.1 (0.2) Gy (left breast range, 0-1.0 Gy; right breast range, 0-0.9 Gy).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this study, combined modality therapy with 2 cycles of ABVD and 20 Gy for ESFHL was highly effective and avoided excess doses to organs at risk, which may limit long-term toxic effects.

Cardiac mortality after radiotherapy, chemotherapy and endocrine therapy for breast cancer: Cohort study of 2 million women from 57 cancer registries in 22 countries

Comparisons of patients receiving different cancer treatments reflect the effects of both treatment and patient selection. In breast cancer, however, if radiotherapy decisions are unrelated to laterality, comparisons of left-sided and right-sided cancers can demonstrate the causal effects of higher-versus-lower cardiac radiation dose. Cardiac mortality was analysed using individual patient data for 1,934,248 women with breast cancer in 22 countries. The median date of diagnosis was 1996 and the interquartile range was 1987-2002. A total of 1,018,505 women were recorded as irradiated, 223,077 as receiving chemotherapy, 317,619 as receiving endocrine therapy and 55,264 died of cardiac disease. Analyses were stratified by time since breast cancer diagnosis, age at diagnosis, calendar year of diagnosis and country. Patient-selection effects were evident for all three treatments. For radiotherapy, there was also evidence of selection according to laterality in women irradiated 1990 or later. In patients irradiated before 1990, there was no such selection and cardiac mortality was higher in left-sided than right-sided cancer (rate ratio [RR]: 1.13, 95% confidence interval 1.09-1.17). Left-versus-right cardiac mortality RRs were greater among younger women (1.46, 1.19, 1.20, 1.09 and 1.08 after cancer diagnoses at ages <40, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+ years, 2ptrend =0.003). Left-versus-right RRs also increased with time since cancer diagnosis (1.03, 1.11, 1.19 and 1.21 during 0-4, 5-14, 15-24 and 25+ years, 2ptrend =0.002) while for women who also received chemotherapy, the left-versus-right RR was 1.42 (95% confidence interval 1.13-1.77), compared to 1.10 (1.05-1.16) for women who did not (2pdifference = 0.03). These results show that the relative increase in cardiac mortality from cardiac exposure during breast cancer radiotherapy given in the past was greater in younger women, lasted into the third decade after exposure and was greater when chemotherapy was also given.

Increased risk of cardiac ischaemia in a pan-European cohort of 36 205 childhood cancer survivors: a PanCareSurFup study

OBJECTIVE

In this report, we determine the cumulative incidence of symptomatic cardiac ischaemia and its risk factors among European 5-year childhood cancer survivors (CCS) participating in the PanCareSurFup study.

METHODS

Eight data providers (France, Hungary, Italy (two cohorts), the Netherlands, Slovenia, Switzerland and the UK) participating in PanCareSurFup ascertained and validated symptomatic cardiac events among their 36 205 eligible CCS. Data on symptomatic cardiac ischaemia were graded according to the Criteria for Adverse Events V.3.0 (grade 3-5). We calculated cumulative incidences, both overall and for different subgroups based on treatment and malignancy, and used multivariable Cox regression to analyse risk factors.

RESULTS

Overall, 302 out of the 36 205 CCS developed symptomatic cardiac ischaemia during follow-up (median follow-up time after primary cancer diagnosis: 23.0 years). The cumulative incidence by age 60 was 5.4% (95% CI 4.6% to 6.2%). Men (7.1% (95% CI 5.8 to 8.4)) had higher rates than women (3.4% (95% CI 2.4 to 4.4)) (p<0.0001). Of importance is that a significant number of patients (41/302) were affected as teens or young adults (14-30 years). Treatment with radiotherapy/chemotherapy conferred twofold risk (95% CI 1.5 to 3.0) and cases in these patients appeared earlier than in CCS without treatment/surgery only (15% vs 3% prior to age 30 years, respectively (p=0.04)).

CONCLUSIONS

In this very large European childhood cancer cohort, we found that by age 60 years, 1 in 18 CCS will develop a severe, life-threatening or fatal cardiac ischaemia, especially in lymphoma survivors and CCS treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy increases the risk significantly.

Retinal Vessel Analysis as a Novel Screening Tool to Identify Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Survivors at Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

BACKGROUND

Microvascular endothelial dysfunction is central to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The eye offers direct access for endothelial health assessment via the retinal microvasculature. The aim of the study was to investigate whether image-based retinal vessel analysis is a feasible method of assessing endothelial health in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (cALL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) were estimated using the 30-year Framingham Risk Score in 73 childhood leukemia survivors (median age: 25; median years from diagnosis: 19) and 78 healthy controls (median age: 23). Radial arterial stiffness was measured using pulse wave analyzer, while endothelial activation markers were measured by soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1). Retinal fundus images were analyzed for central retinal artery/vein equivalents (CRAE/CRVE) and arteriolar-venular ratio (AVR).

RESULTS

cALL survivors had higher CRF (P<0.0001), arterial stiffness (P=0.001), and sVCAM-1 (P=0.007) compared with controls. Survivors also had significantly higher CRVE (P=0.021) while AVR was significantly lower (P=0.026) in survivors compared with controls, compatible with endothelial dysfunction. In cALL survivors with intermediate risk for CVD, CRAE, and AVR are significantly lower, while sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 are significantly higher when compared with survivors with low CVD risk after adjusting with covariates (age, sex, and smoking status).

CONCLUSIONS

cALL survivors have an increased risk of CVD compared with age-matched peers. The survivors demonstrated microvasculopathy, as measured by retinal vascular analysis, in addition to physical and biochemical evidence of endothelial dysfunction. These changes predate other measures of CVD. Retinal vessel analysis may be utilized as a robust screening tool for identifying survivors at increased risk for developing CVD.

Childhood cancer survivors: The integral role of the cardiologist and cardiovascular imaging

IMPORTANCE

With 80% of childhood cancer survivors (CCS) alive 30 years after diagnosis, preventable causes of death, such as cardiovascular disease resulting from initial cancer therapy, becomes an important metric. This leads to a more pronounced role for cardiologists in the care of CCS.

OBSERVATIONS

While routine cardiovascular screening has been traditionally performed by the hematologist/oncologist or primary care provider, our understanding of cardiovascular disease in CCS has advanced. The measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) can now be complemented with additional assessments of strain, LV mass, right ventricular function, diastolic function, valve function, the pericardium, coronary perfusion, and biomarkers. Risk factor modification, prophylaxis, and timing of treatment are also critical.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Early cardiovascular screening and treatment in asymptomatic CCS can be nuanced and complex. As a result, there is a renewed opportunity for the cardiologist to play an integral role in the care of CCS.

KEY POINTS

Question/Purpose: Review cardiovascular disease and the role of the cardiologist in the care of asymptomatic childhood cancer survivors (CCS).

FINDINGS

Cardiovascular care in CCS benefits from a multi-faceted approach that does not overly rely on LVEF. Meaning: Adequate screening and treatment of cardiovascular disease in asymptomatic CCS may often be optimized by the involvement of a cardiologist.

The Role of Biomarkers in Cardio-Oncology

In the field of cardio-oncology, it is well recognised that despite the benefits of chemotherapy in treating and possibly curing cancer, it can cause catastrophic damage to bystander tissues resulting in a range of potentially of life-threatening cardiovascular toxicities, and leading to a number of damaging side effects including heart failure and myocardial infarction. Cardiotoxicity is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in the long-term in oncology patients, specifically due to left ventricular dysfunction. There is increasing emphasis on the early use of biomarkers in order to detect the cardiotoxicity at a stage before it becomes irreversible. The most important markers of cardiac injury are cardiac troponin and natriuretic peptides, whilst markers of inflammation such as interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, myeloperoxidase, Galectin-3, growth differentiation factor-15 are under investigation for their use in detecting cardiotoxicity early. In addition, microRNAs, genome-wide association studies and proteomics are being studied as novel markers of cardiovascular injury or inflammation. The aim of this literature review is to discuss the evidence base behind the use of these biomarkers for the detection of cardiotoxicity.

Metabolic syndrome detection with biomarkers in childhood cancer survivors

PURPOSE

Augmented survival of childhood nephroblastoma and neuroblastoma has increased long-term side effects such as metabolic syndrome (MetS). Risk stratification is difficult after abdominal radiation because waist circumference underestimates adiposity. We aimed to develop a strategy for determining MetS in irradiated survivors using an integrated biomarker profile and vascular ultrasonography.

METHODS

The NCEP-ATPIII MetS-components, 14 additional serum biomarkers and 9 vascular measurements were assessed in a single-centre cohort of childhood nephroblastoma (n = 67) and neuroblastoma (n = 36) survivors and controls (n = 61). Multivariable regression models were used to study treatment effects. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to study all biomarkers in a combined analysis, to identify patterns and correlations.

RESULTS

After 27.5 years of follow-up, MetS occurred more often in survivors (14%) than controls (3%). Abdominal radiotherapy and nephrectomy, to a lesser extent, were associated with MetS and separate components and with several biomarker abnormalities. PCA of biomarkers revealed a pattern on PC1 from favourable lipid markers (HDL-cholesterol, adiponectin) towards unfavourable markers (triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, apoB, uric acid). Abdominal radiotherapy was associated with the unfavourable biomarker profile (β = 1.45, P = 0.001). Vascular measurements were not of added diagnostic value.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term childhood nephro- and neuroblastoma survivors frequently develop MetS. Additional assessment of biomarkers identified in PCA - adiponectin, LDL, apoB, and uric acid - may be used especially in abdominally irradiated survivors, to classify MetS as alternative for waist circumference. Vascular ultrasonography was not of added value.

Decreased heart dose with deep inspiration breath hold for the treatment of gastric lymphoma with IMRT

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Radiation therapy to the stomach can result in unintended radiation to the heart.

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Deep inspiration breath-hold can provide spatial separation between the heart and stomach.

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Deep inspiration breath-hold permits decreased dose to organs at risk when treating the stomach.

We hypothesized that deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) and computed-tomography image-guided radiotherapy (CT-IGRT) may be beneficial to decrease dose to organs at risk (OARs), when treating the stomach with radiotherapy for lymphoma. We compared dosimetric parameters of OARs from plans generated using free-breathing (FB) versus DIBH for 10 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma involving the stomach treated with involved site radiotherapy. All patients had 4DCT and DIBH scans. Planning was performed with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) to 30.6 Gy in 17 fractions. Differences in target volume and dosimetric parameters were assessed using a paired two-sided t-test. All heart and left ventricle parameters including mean dose, V30, V20, V10, and V5 were statistically significantly lower with DIBH. For IMRT-FB plans the average mean heart dose was 4.9 Gy compared to 2.6 Gy for the IMRT-DIBH group (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant decrease in right kidney dose with DIBH. For lymphoma patients treated to the stomach with IMRT, DIBH provides superior OAR sparing compared to FB-based planning, most notably reducing dose to the heart and left ventricle. This strategy could be considered when treating other gastric malignancies.

Fatal heart disease among cancer patients

As the overlap between heart disease and cancer patients increases as cancer-specific mortality is decreasing and the surviving population is aging, it is necessary to identify cancer patients who are at an increased risk of death from heart disease. The purpose of this study is to identify cancer patients at highest risk of fatal heart disease compared to the general population and other cancer patients at risk of death during the study time period. Here we report that 394,849 of the 7,529,481 cancer patients studied died of heart disease. The heart disease-specific mortality rate is 10.61/10,000-person years, and the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of fatal heart disease is 2.24 (95% CI: 2.23-2.25). Compared to other cancer patients, patients who are older, male, African American, and unmarried are at a greatest risk of fatal heart disease. For almost all cancer survivors, the risk of fatal heart disease increases with time.

Pediatric glioblastoma target-specific efficient delivery of gemcitabine across the blood-brain barrier via carbon nitride dots

Pediatric glioblastomas are known to be one of the most dangerous and life-threatening cancers among many others regardless of the low number of cases reported. The major obstacles in the treatment of these tumors can be identified as the lack of prognosis data and the therapeutic requirement to be able to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Due to this lack of data and techniques, pediatric patients could face drastic side effects over a long-time span even after survival. Therefore, in this study, the capability of non-toxic carbon nitride dots (CNDs) to selectively target pediatric glioblastoma cells was studied in vitro. Furthermore, the nanocarrier capability and efficiency of CNDs were also investigated through conjugation of a chemotherapeutic agent and transferrin (T_f) protein. Gemcitabine (GM) was introduced into the system as a chemotherapeutic agent, which has never been successfully used for the treatment of any central nervous system (CNS) cancer. More than 95% of selective damage of SJGBM2 glioma cells was observed at 1 μM of CN-GM conjugate with almost 100% viability of non-cancerous HEK293 cells, although this ability was diminished at lower concentrations. However, further conjugation of T_f to obtain CN-GM-T_f allowed the achievement of selective targeting and prominent anti-cancer activity at a 100-fold lower concentration of 10 nM. Furthermore, both conjugates were capable of effectively damaging several other brain tumor cells, which were not well responsive towards the single treatment of GM. The capability of BBB penetration of the conjugates was observed using a zebrafish model, which confirms the CNDs' competence as an excellent nanocarrier to the CNS.

The Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Radiation-Induced Cardiovascular Injury

The increasing risk of long-term adverse effects from radiotherapy on the cardiovascular structure is receiving increasing attention. However, the mechanisms underlying this increased risk remain poorly understood. Recently, the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich-repeat-containing family pyrin 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome was suggested to play a critical role in radiation-induced cardiovascular injury. However, the relationship between ionizing radiation and the NLRP3 inflammasome in acute and chronic inflammation is complex. We reviewed literature detailing pathological changes and molecular mechanisms associated with radiation-induced damage to the cardiovascular structure, with a specific focus on NLRP3 inflammasome-related cardiovascular diseases. We also summarized possible therapeutic strategies for the prevention of radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD).

Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL) expert consensus on the use of intensity-modulated and image-guided radiotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma involving the mediastinum

Aim

Advances in therapy have resulted in improved cure rates and an increasing number of long-term Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) survivors. However, radiotherapy (RT)-related late effects are still a significant issue, particularly for younger patients with mediastinal disease (secondary cancers, heart diseases). In many Centers, technological evolution has substantially changed RT planning and delivery. This consensus document aims to analyze the current knowledge of Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) for mediastinal HL and formulate practical recommendations based on scientific evidence and expert opinions.

Methods

A dedicated working group was set up within the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL) Radiotherapy Committee in May 2018. After a first meeting, the group adopted a dedicated platform to share retrieved articles and other material. Two group coordinators redacted a first document draft, that was further discussed and finalized in two subsequent meetings. Topics of interest were: 1) Published data comparing 3D-conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and IMRT 2) dose objectives for the organs at risk 3) IGRT protocols and motion management.

Results

Data review showed that IMRT might allow for an essential reduction in the high-dose regions for all different thoracic OAR. As very few studies included specific dose constraints for lungs and breasts, the low-dose component for these OAR resulted slightly higher with IMRT vs. 3D-CRT, depending on the technique used. We propose a set of dose objectives for the heart, breasts, lungs, and thyroid. The use of IGRT is advised for margin reduction without specific indications, such as the use of breath-holding techniques. An individual approach, including comparative planning and considering different risk factors for late morbidity, is recommended for each patient.

Conclusions

As HL therapy continues to evolve, with an emphasis on treatment reduction, radiation oncologists should use at best all the available tools to minimize the dose to organs at risk and optimize treatment plans. This document provides indications on the use of IMRT/IGRT based on expert consensus, providing a basis for clinical implementation and future development.

Perioperative Cardiothoracic and Vascular Risk in Childhood Cancer and its Survivors

CHILDREN with cancer and survivors of childhood cancer have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and this risk in the perioperative period must be understood. During diagnosis and treatment of pediatric cancer, multiple acute cardiovascular morbidities are possible, including anterior mediastinal mass, tamponade, hypertension, cardiomyopathy,and heart failure. Childhood cancer survivors reaching late childhood and adulthood experience substantially increased rates of cardiomyopathy, heart failure, valvular disease, pericardiac disease, ischemia, and arrhythmias. Despite considerable advances in the understanding and therapeutic options of pediatric malignancies, cardiac disease remains the most common treatment-related, noncancer cause of death in childhood cancer survivors. Increasingly, molecularly targeted agents, including small molecule inhibitors, are being incorporated into pediatric oncology. The acute and chronic risks associated with these newer therapeutic options in children are not yet well-described, which poses challenges for clinicians caring for these patients. In the present review, the unique risks factors, prevention strategies, and treatment of cardiovascular toxicities of the child with cancer and the childhood cancer survivor are examined, with an emphasis on the perioperative period.

Cardiovascular diseases in survivors of childhood cancer

Over the past few decades, the diagnosis and management of children with various malignancies have improved tremendously. As a result, there are an increasing number of children who are long-term cancer survivors. With improved survival, however, has come an increased risk of treatment-related cardiovascular complications that can appear decades after treatment. These problems are serious enough that all caregivers of childhood cancer survivors, including oncologists, cardiologists, and other health care personnel, must pay close attention to the short- and long-term effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy on these children. This review discusses the effects of treatment-related cardiovascular complications from anthracyclines and radiotherapy and the methods for preventing, screening, and treating these complications.

Evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of dexrazoxane for the prevention of anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity in children with sarcoma and haematologic malignancies: a European perspective

Background

Anthracycline-treated childhood cancer survivors are at higher risk of cardiotoxicity, especially with cumulative doses received above 250 mg/m². Dexrazoxane is the only option recommended for cardiotoxicity prevention in high-risk patients supported by randomised trials but its cost-effectiveness in paediatric cancer patients has not been established.

Methods

A cost-effectiveness model applicable to different national healthcare system perspectives, which simulates 10,000 patients with either sarcoma or haematologic malignancies, based upon baseline characteristics including gender, age at diagnosis, cumulative anthracycline dose and exposure to chest irradiation. Risk equations for developing congestive heart failure and death from recurrence of the original cancer, secondary malignant neoplasms, cardiac death, pulmonary death, and death from other causes were derived from published literature. These are applied to the individual simulated patients and time until development of these events was determined. The treatment effect of dexrazoxane on the risk of CHF or death was based upon a meta-analysis of randomised and non-randomised dexrazoxane studies in each tumour type. The model includes country specific data for drug and administration costs, all aspects of heart failure diagnosis and management, and death due to different causes for each of the five countries considered; France, Germany, the UK, Italy, and Spain.

Results

Dexrazoxane treatment resulted in a mean QALY benefit across the five countries ranging from 0.530 to 0.683 per dexrazoxane-treated patient. Dexrazoxane was cost-effective for paediatric patients receiving anthracycline treatment for sarcoma and for haematologic malignancies, irrespective of the cumulative anthracycline dose received. The Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) was favourable in all countries irrespective of anthracycline dose for both sarcoma and haematological malignancies (range: dominant to €2196). Individual ICER varied considerably according to country with dominance demonstrated for dexrazoxane in Spain and Italy and ratios approximately double the European average in the UK and Germany.

Conclusions

Dexrazoxane is a highly cost-effective therapy for the prevention of anthracycline cardiotoxicity in paediatric patients with sarcoma or haematological malignancies in Europe, irrespective of the healthcare system in which they receive treatment. These benefits persist when patients who receive doses of anthracycline > 250 mg/m² are included in the model.

Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in High-Risk Pediatric Patients: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

This scientific statement presents considerations for clinical management regarding the assessment and risk reduction of select pediatric populations at high risk for premature cardiovascular disease, including acquired arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis. For each topic, the evidence for accelerated acquired coronary artery disease and stroke in childhood and adolescence and the evidence for benefit of interventions in youth will be reviewed. Children and adolescents may be at higher risk for cardiovascular disease because of significant atherosclerotic or arteriosclerotic risk factors, high-risk conditions that promote atherosclerosis, or coronary artery or other cardiac or vascular abnormalities that make the individual more vulnerable to the adverse effects of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Existing scientific statements and guidelines will be referenced when applicable, and suggestions for risk identification and reduction specific to each setting will be described. This statement is directed toward pediatric cardiologists, primary care providers, and subspecialists who provide clinical care for these young patients. The focus will be on management and justification for management, minimizing information on pathophysiology and epidemiology.

Radiotherapy-induced heart disease: a review of the literature

Radiotherapy as one of the four pillars of cancer therapy plays a critical role in the multimodal treatment of thoracic cancers. Due to significant improvements in overall cancer survival, radiotherapy-induced heart disease (RIHD) has become an increasingly recognized adverse reaction which contributes to major radiation-associated toxicities including non-malignant death. This is especially relevant for patients suffering from diseases with excellent prognosis such as breast cancer or Hodgkin's lymphoma, since RIHD may occur decades after radiotherapy. Preclinical studies have enriched our knowledge of many potential mechanisms by which thoracic radiotherapy induces heart injury. Epidemiological findings in humans reveal that irradiation might increase the risk of cardiac disease at even lower doses than previously assumed. Recent preclinical studies have identified non-invasive methods for evaluation of RIHD. Furthermore, potential options preventing or at least attenuating RIHD have been developed. Ongoing research may enrich our limited knowledge about biological mechanisms of RIHD, identify non-invasive early detection biomarkers and investigate potential treatment options that might attenuate or prevent these unwanted side effects. Here, we present a comprehensive review about the published literature regarding clinical manifestation and pathological alterations in RIHD. Biological mechanisms and treatment options are outlined, and challenges in RIHD treatment are summarized.

Health Status in Long-Term Survivors of Hepatoblastoma

The aim of this study was to evaluate the health status of children cured from hepatoblastoma. Forty-five patients with hepatoblastoma treated between 1996–2014 were assessed. The recorded data included sex, age at diagnosis, disease stage, treatment methods, time since diagnosis, and the evaluation of health status domains which included performance status, growth development, hearing, cardiovascular, skeletal, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, neurological, and hematological function. There were 30 boys and 15 girls. The age at diagnosis ranged from one month to 14 years (median one year). At the time of the health status evaluation, the youngest patient was 5.5 years old and the oldest was 21 years of age (median—10 years). All patients were treated according to the Childhood Liver Tumors Strategy Group—SIOPEL recommendations, though they were not active participants of the studies. The median cumulative dose of cisplatin was 520 mg/m² and 360 mg/m² for doxorubicin. Thirty-six patients underwent partial hepatectomy, and nine total hepatectomy and liver transplantation. At a median of nine years from diagnosis, 68% of hepatoblastoma survivors had experienced at least one chronic health condition of any grade. The most frequent late complication was ototoxicity (28.8%), and the most serious were second malignancies (6.6%) and cardiomyopathy (4.4%). Conclusion: Survivors of hepatoblastoma are at risk for long-term complications. They require long-term monitoring for late effects.

Cardiotoxicity of mediastinal radiotherapy

Aim

To explore available recent literature related to cardiotoxicity following mediastinal radiation.

Background

Radiotherapy-related heart injury is well documented, with no apparent safety threshold dose. The number of long-term cancer survivors exposed to mediastinal radiotherapy at some point of their treatment is increasing. Heart dosimetric parameters are of great importance in developing a treatment plan, but few data are available regarding radiosensitivity and dose-volume constraints for specific heart structures.

Materials and Methods

In October 2018, we identified articles published after 1990 through a PubMed/MEDLINE database search. The authors examined rough search results and manuscripts not relevant for the topic were excluded. We extracted clinical outcomes following mediastinal radiotherapy of childhood cancers, lymphoma, medulloblastoma, thymic cancers and hematopoietic cell transplantation survivors and evaluated treatment planning data, whenever available.

Results

A total of 1311 manuscripts were identified in our first-round search. Of these manuscripts, only 115 articles, matching our selection criteria, were included.

Conclusions

Studies uniformly show a linear radiation dose-response relationship between mean absorbed dose to the heart (heart-D_mean) and the risk of dying as a result of cardiac disease, particularly when heart-D_mean exceeds 5 Gy. Limited data are available regarding dose-volume predictors for heart substructures and the risk of subsequent cardiac toxicity. An individual patient's cardiotoxicity risk can be modified with advanced treatment planning techniques, including deep inspiration breath hold. Proton therapy is currently showing advantages in improving treatment planning parameters when compared to advanced photon techniques in lymphoma, thymic malignancies, malignant mesothelioma and craniospinal irradiation.

Hyperacetylation of Cardiac Mitochondrial Proteins Is Associated with Metabolic Impairment and Sirtuin Downregulation after Chronic Total Body Irradiation of ApoE -/- Mice

Chronic exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Alteration in energy metabolism has been suggested to contribute to radiation-induced heart pathology, mitochondrial dysfunction being a hallmark of this disease. The goal of this study was to investigate the regulatory role of acetylation in heart mitochondria in the long-term response to chronic radiation. ApoE-deficient C57Bl/6J mice were exposed to low-dose-rate (20 mGy/day) gamma radiation for 300 days, resulting in a cumulative total body dose of 6.0 Gy. Heart mitochondria were isolated and analyzed using quantitative proteomics. Radiation-induced proteome and acetylome alterations were further validated using immunoblotting, enzyme activity assays, and ELISA. In total, 71 proteins showed peptides with a changed acetylation status following irradiation. The great majority (94%) of the hyperacetylated proteins were involved in the TCA cycle, fatty acid oxidation, oxidative stress response and sirtuin pathway. The elevated acetylation patterns coincided with reduced activity of mitochondrial sirtuins, increased the level of Acetyl-CoA, and were accompanied by inactivation of major cardiac metabolic regulators PGC-1 alpha and PPAR alpha. These observations suggest that the changes in mitochondrial acetylation after irradiation is associated with impairment of heart metabolism. We propose a novel mechanism involved in the development of late cardiac damage following chronic irradiation.

Effect of Radiation Doses to the Heart on Survival for Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy for Early-stage Non-Small-cell Lung Cancer: An Artificial Neural Network Approach

INTRODUCTION

The cardiac radiation dose is an important predictor of cardiac toxicity and overall survival (OS) for patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, radiation-induced cardiac toxicity among patients with early-stage NSCLC who have undergone stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) has been less well-characterized. Our objective was to assess the associations between cardiac radiation dosimetry and OS in patients with early-stage NSCLC undergoing SABR.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 2009 to 2014, 153 patients with early-stage NSCLC had undergone SABR at a single institution. The maximum dose, mean dose, V_10Gy, V_25Gy, and V_50Gy to 15 cardiac substructures and the whole heart were analyzed for their association with OS using the Kaplan-Meier method. An artificial neural network (ANN) analysis was performed to modulate confounding behaviors of dosimetric variables to predict for OS.

RESULTS

A total of 112 patients were included in the present analysis. The right ventricle (RV) V_10Gy most negatively predicted for OS, such that patients who had received a RV V_10Gy dose < 4% had significantly longer OS than patients who had received a RV V_10Gy does > 4% (5.3 years vs. 2.4 years). On ANN analysis, 74 input features, including cardiac dosimetry parameters, predicted for survival with a test accuracy of 64.7%. A repeat ANN analysis using dosimetry to dose neutral structure confirmed the predictive power of cardiac dosimetry.

CONCLUSION

Cardiac dosimetry to subvolumes of the heart was associated with decreased OS in patients with early-stage NSCLC undergoing SABR. These data support the importance of minimizing the radiation dose to cardiac substructures. Further prioritizing the heart as an organ at risk might be warranted. Additionally, cardiac follow-up should be considered.

Effective heart-sparing whole lung irradiation using volumetric modulated arc therapy: a case report

Background

Late cardiovascular disease-related adverse events are one of the most common causes of premature mortality among long-term survivors of childhood cancer. As it is difficult to reduce the heart dose with traditional anteroposterior–posteroanterior field whole lung irradiation for pulmonary metastasis, improved radiation techniques are highly desirable. We report a case treated with whole lung irradiation using volumetric modulated arc therapy.

Case presentation

A 3-year-old Japanese girl with pulmonary metastases of Wilms’ tumor received 12 Gy in 8 fractions of whole lung irradiation using volumetric modulated arc therapy. The treatment was well tolerated, and the course was completed as planned without any toxicity. We found statistically significant reduced volumetric modulated arc therapy irradiation doses to organs at risk relative to those of the standard anteroposterior–posteroanterior field technique. The mean heart dose was 8.5 Gy for volumetric modulated arc therapy and 12.3 Gy for the anteroposterior–posteroanterior field. The doses to liver and thyroid were also more favorable with volumetric modulated arc therapy than with the anteroposterior–posteroanterior field technique. We confirmed the dosimetric advantages of volumetric modulated arc therapy over anteroposterior–posteroanterior field in whole lung irradiation in terms of superior normal organ protection.

Conclusions

Effective heart sparing is possible for whole lung irradiation using volumetric modulated arc therapy. Large-scale studies using standardized procedures should be conducted to validate our results.

Co‑culturing with hypoxia pre‑conditioned mesenchymal stem cells as a new strategy for the prevention of irradiation‑induced fibroblast‑to‑myofibroblast transition

Cardiac fibrosis is a pathological consequence of radiation-induced fibroblast proliferation and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition (FMT). Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation has been revealed to be an effective treatment strategy to inhibit cardiac fibrosis. We identified a novel MSC-driven mechanism that inhibited cardiac fibrosis, via the regulation of multiple fibrogenic pathways. Hypoxia pre-conditioned MSCs (MSCs^Hypoxia) were co-cultured with fibroblasts using a Transwell system. Radiation-induced fibroblast proliferation was assessed using an MTT assay, and FMT was confirmed by assessing the mRNA levels of various markers of fibrosis, including type I collagen (Col1) and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). α-SMA expression was also confirmed via immunocytochemistry. The expression levels of Smad7 and Smad3 were detected by western blotting, and Smad7 was silenced using small interfering RNAs. The levels of oxidative stress following radiation were assessed by the detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). It was revealed that co-culturing with MSCs^Hypoxia could inhibit fibroblast proliferation and FMT. In addition, the present results indicated that MSCs are necessary and sufficient for the inhibition of fibroblast proliferation and FMT by functionally targeting TGF-β1/Smad7/Smad3 signaling via the release of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Furthermore, it was observed that MSCs inhibited fibrosis by modulating oxidative stress. Co-culturing with MSCs^Hypoxia alleviated fibroblast proliferation and FMT via the TGF-β1/Smad7/Smad3 pathway. MSCs may represent a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of radiation-related cardiac fibrosis.

Cancer Therapy-Related Cardiac Dysfunction: An Overview for the Clinician

Cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) is one of the most feared and undesirable side effects of chemotherapy, occurring in approximately 10% of the patients. It can be classified as direct (dose-dependent vs dose-independent) or indirect, either case being potentially permanent or reversible. Risk assessment, recognition, and prevention of CTRCD are crucial.

Consolidative mediastinal irradiation of malignant lymphoma using active scanning proton beams: clinical outcome and dosimetric comparison

PURPOSE

Current research approaches in lymphoma focus on reduction of therapy-associated long-term side effects. Especially in mediastinal lymphoma, proton beam radiotherapy (PT) may be a promising approach for reducing the dose to organs at risk (OAR).

PATIENTS

In total, 20 patients were irradiated with active scanning PT at Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center (HIT) between September 2014 and February 2017. For comparative analysis, additional photon irradiation plans with helical intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were calculated and quantitative and qualitative dose evaluations were made for both treatment modalities. Toxicity and survival outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

Clinical target volume coverage was comparable in both treatment modalities and did not significantly differ between IMRT and PT. Nevertheless, PT showed superiority regarding the homogeneity index (HI_PT = 1.041 vs. HI_IMRT = 1.075, p < 0.001). For all OAR, PT showed significantly higher dose reductions compared with IMRT. In particular, the dose to the heart was reduced in PT (absolute dose reduction of D_mean of 3.3 Gy [all patients] and 4.2 Gy [patients with pericardial involvement]). Likewise, the subgroup analysis of female patients, who were expected to receive higher doses to the breast, showed a higher dose reduction in D_mean of 1.2 Gy (right side) and 2.2 Gy (left side). After a median follow-up of 32 months (range 21-48 months), local and distant progression free survival (LPFS and DPFS) were 95.5% and 95.0%, respectively. Radiotherapy was tolerated well with only mild (grade 1-2) radiation-induced acute and chronic side effects.

CONCLUSION

A significant reduction in the dose to the surrounding OAR was achieved with PT compared with photon irradiation, without compromising target volume coverage. Dosimetric advantages may have the potential to translate into a reduction of long-term radiation-induced toxicity in young patients with malignant lymphoma of the mediastinum.

Effects of Resistance Exercise Training on Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity

Although highly effective, doxorubicin (DOX) use is limited by a dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether resistance training (RT) would protect against DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction and determine whether any observed functional preservation is a result of reduced lipid peroxidation or a preservation of the cardiac myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform distribution. Rats were resistance-trained or remained sedentary for 12 weeks, then treated with 12.5 mg/kg DOX or 0.9% saline. Five days after DOX exposure, cardiac function, lipid peroxidation, and MHC isoform expression were quantified. RT preserved cardiac function and attenuated the α-to β-MHC shift that occurs with DOX treatment. No significant differences in lipid peroxidation were observed between sedentary and RT animals treated with DOX. These data suggest that resistance-type exercise can provide protection against DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction, which may be a result of a preservation of the cardiac MHC isoform distribution.

Distinct vascular genomic response of proton and gamma radiation-A pilot investigation

The cardiovascular biology of proton radiotherapy is not well understood. We aimed to compare the genomic dose-response to proton and gamma radiation of the mouse aorta to assess whether their vascular effects may diverge. We performed comparative RNA sequencing of the aorta following (4 hrs) total-body proton and gamma irradiation (0.5–200 cGy whole body dose, 10 dose levels) of conscious mice. A trend analysis identified genes that showed a dose response. While fewer genes were dose-responsive to proton than gamma radiation (29 vs. 194 genes; q-value ≤ 0.1), the magnitude of the effect was greater. Highly responsive genes were enriched for radiation response pathways (DNA damage, apoptosis, cellular stress and inflammation; p-value ≤ 0.01). Gamma, but not proton radiation induced additionally genes in vasculature specific pathways. Genes responsive to both radiation types showed almost perfectly superimposable dose-response relationships. Despite the activation of canonical radiation response pathways by both radiation types, we detected marked differences in the genomic response of the murine aorta. Models of cardiovascular risk based on photon radiation may not accurately predict the risk associated with proton radiation.

Cardio-oncology - strategies for management of cancer-therapy related cardiovascular disease

Current therapy of advanced cancers is based on several modalities including radiotherapy, cytotoxic chemotherapy, molecularly targeted inhibitors and antibodies targeting immune checkpoints. All of those these modalities can negatively impact the cardiovascular system, and there is considerable experience in relation to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In contrast, the knowledge base on cardiovascular toxicities of novel agents targeting signal transduction pathways and immune regulation is quite limited. In particular, potential late effects are of concern as cardiovascular pathology can negatively impact quality of life and prognosis in cancer survivors, particularly when additional cardiovascular risk factors are present. Treatment-associated adverse events include hypertension, venous thromboembolism, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, heart failure and arrhythmias. Early diagnosis of subclinical cardiotoxic effects of cancer therapies remains challenging. Integrated care, as provided by multidisciplinary cardio-oncology teams is the best option for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases associated with cancer therapy. This review considers the cardiotoxic effects of specific cancer therapies and discusses novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches as a reference for optimizing the care of cancer patients receiving novel cancer therapies.

Caring for survivors of childhood cancer: it takes a village

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Over 80% of children diagnosed with cancer are now cured. The burgeoning population of survivors of childhood cancer experiences high rates of morbidity and mortality due to 'late-effects' of treatment. These can be defined as any consequence of treatment that persists beyond or develops after the completion of cancer therapy. Awareness of late-effects is critically important for pediatricians and adult providers alike, as late-effects impact children in proximity to cancer treatment, as well as adults many decades removed. This review presents the importance of lifelong follow-up care for survivors, highlights existing screening guidelines, and reviews various models of survivor care.

RECENT FINDINGS

National and international guidelines have been developed to standardize screening for survivors, and multiple models of survivorship care exist. The optimal model likely depends on individual factors, including the survivor's needs and preferences, as well as local resources. Key strategies for the successful care of survivors include accurate risk-stratification for specific late-effects, individualized screening plans, education of survivors and professionals, clear communication between providers, and well coordinated transition of care across services.

SUMMARY

Early identification and management of late-effects are important for survivors of childhood cancer. Providers should be familiar with the risks for specific late-effects and have access to screening guidelines. The strengths and weaknesses of care models, along with individual circumstances, should be considered in designing the optimal approach to care for each survivor.

Predicting and Preventing Anthracycline-Related Cardiotoxicity

Anthracyclines (doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin, and idarubicin) are among the most potent chemotherapeutic agents and have truly revolutionized the management of childhood cancer. They form the backbone of chemotherapy regimens used to treat childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and neuroblastoma. More than 50% of children with cancer are treated with anthracyclines. The clinical utility of anthracyclines is compromised by dose-dependent cardiotoxicity, manifesting initially as asymptomatic cardiac dysfunction and evolving irreversibly to congestive heart failure. Childhood cancer survivors are at a five- to 15-fold increased risk for congestive heart failure compared with the general population. Once diagnosed with congestive heart failure, the 5-year survival rate is less than 50%. Prediction models have been developed for childhood cancer survivors (i.e., after exposure to anthracyclines) to identify those at increased risk for cardiotoxicity. Studies are currently under way to test risk-reducing strategies. There remains a critical need to identify patients with childhood cancer at diagnosis (i.e., prior to anthracycline exposure) such that noncardiotoxic therapies can be contemplated.

Noncoding RNAs: potential regulators in cardioncology

Cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and globally. Owing to improved early diagnosis and advances in oncological therapeutic options, the number of cancer survivors has steadily increased. Such efficient cancer therapies have also lead to alarming increase in cardiovascular complications in a significant proportion of cancer survivors, due to adverse cardiovascular effects such as cardiotoxicity, cardiac atrophy, and myocarditis. This has emerged as a notable concern in healthcare and given rise to the new field of cardioncology, which aims at understanding the processes that occur in the two distinct disorders and how they interact to influence the progression of each other. A key player in both cancer and heart failure is the genome, which is predominantly transcribed to noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Since the emergence of ncRNAs as master regulators of gene expression, several reports have shown the relevance of ncRNAs in cancer and cardiovascular disorders. However, the knowledge is quite limited regarding the relevance of ncRNAs in cardioncology. The objective of this review is to summarize the current knowledge of ncRNAs in the context of cardioncology. Furthermore, the therapeutic strategies as well as the prospective translational applications of these ncRNA molecules to the clinics are also discussed.

Selective coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention and asymptomatic peri-procedural myocardial injury

BACKGROUND

While there have been a number of studies reporting the incidence and implications of elevated troponin levels after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the body of information about the incidence, associations, and implications of elevated troponin levels following coronary angiography (CAG) is limited.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 220 consecutive patients with stable coronary artery disease or intermediate or low-risk acute coronary syndrome without persistent ST-segment elevation (NSTE-ACS) were included in our study. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) levels were measured before and after coronary angiography (CAG) in patients with or without PCI and correlated with a number of clinical variables.

RESULTS

Hs-cTnI elevations above the 99^th percentile upper reference limit (URL), or above 20% of the initially positive, yet already declining values, were found in 60 (37.2%) patients after CAG and in 45 (76.2%) patients undergoing PCI. Significant correlations of hs-cTnI elevation were found with the following variables: volume of contrast, fluoroscopy time, dose-area product, amount of contrast agent injected directly into the coronary arteries, total time of balloon dilation and the number and total length of implanted stents (P<0.001 for all).

CONCLUSION

While an asymptomatic elevation of hs-cTnI is a common finding after PCI, it does occur, quite surprisingly, also after CAG. Despite contradictory views regarding the clinical relevance of asymptomatic post-procedural elevated hs-cTnI levels, it is generally believed that a mild elevation is not associated with an increased risk. Still, it may pose a diagnostic quandary following a successful interventional procedure and even more so after an uncomplicated CAG.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov - NCT02960321.

Metabolic syndrome as cardiovascular risk factor in childhood cancer survivors

Over the past decades, survival rates of childhood cancer have increased considerably from 5 to 30% in the early seventies to current rates exceeding 80%. This is due to the development of effective chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy and stem cell transplantation, combined with an optimized stratification of therapy and better supportive care regimens. As a consequence, active surveillance strategies of late sequelae have been developed to improve the quality of survival. Several epidemiological studies have reported an increased incidence of (components of) metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular disease in childhood cancer survivors (CCS). Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) after cranial radiotherapy (CRT) has been previously described as an important cause of MetS. New insights suggest a role for abdominal radiotherapy as a determinant for MetS as well. The role of other risk factors, such as specific chemotherapeutic agents, steroids, gonadal impairment, thyroid morbidity and genetics, warrants further investigation. This knowledge is important to define subgroups of CCS that are at risk to develop (subclinical) MetS features. These survivors might benefit from standard surveillance and early interventions, for example lifestyle and diet advice and medical treatment, thereby preventing the development of cardiovascular disease.

Heart-sparing volumetric modulated arc therapy for whole lung irradiation

PURPOSE

Whole lung irradiation (WLI) is indicated for subgroups of patients with lung metastases from Wilms' tumor (nephroblastoma). WLI has traditionally been performed with an anterior/posterior field arrangement with poor potential for heart sparing; thus, new techniques are desirable to achieve a lower dose to the heart.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We utilized volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for WLI with 18 Gy in a patient with metastatic nephroblastoma. The planning results were compared against a three-dimensional (3D) conformal plan.

RESULTS

VMAT resulted in adequate target volume coverage with the prescribed dose. Mean heart dose was 10.2 Gy. The dose to organs at risk (OAR) was generally more favorable with VMAT when compared with a 3D-conformal radiotherapy plan.

DISCUSSION

WLI with VMAT provides superior sparing of OARs and especially a considerably lower dose to the heart.

Tissue Doppler Imaging for anthracycline cardiotoxicity monitoring in pediatric patients with cancer

BACKGROUND

Cardiotoxic effects of anthracycline therapy are a major cause of morbidity for childhood cancer survivors. The aim of this retrospective evaluation is to assess the efficacy of Tissue Doppler Imaging in the early detection of myocardial alterations in these patients.

METHODS

A population of 50 childhood cancer survivors (32 males and 18 females) who have been treated with anthracyclines was evaluated by standard and TDI echocardiographic examination of the basal and median region of the interventricular septum (IVSb, IVSm), of the left ventricular posterior wall (LVPWb, LVPWm), and of the mitral annulus; the results were compared with those obtained from a population of 50 healthy age-matched and sex-matched controls by using the Student test. The clinical and echocardiographic data of the two groups were compared also with the independent samples t-test. All data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. A two-tailed P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 7.0.

RESULTS

The case-control analysis showed statistically significant differences (p < 0,05) between the patients and the controls values. The systolic performance of the patients was normal (LVEF (p = 0,0029) and LVFS (p = 0,0002)). Statistically significant differences between patients and controls were found for diastolic function measurements obtained with PW Doppler such as IVRT (p = 0,0000), DT (p = 0,0041), E (p = 0,0000), A (p = 0,0458), even if E/A ratio was not altered. TDI analysis also show significant differences between patients and controls in both LVPW and IVS (basal and middle segments); E/E' ratio and E'/A' ratio did not vary significantly. Linear Regression and multivariate analysis showed that Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation had the highest impact on our measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed a myocardial diastolic impairment with preserved ejection fraction. Since the median follow-up time of our cohort was 2 years, further evaluation is needed to better define the diastolic alterations. TDI analysis showed high sensitivity for the detection of mild myocardial dysfunction; the implementation of this novel method as standard practice in the follow-up of selected childhood cancer survivors might help to achieve a better management of long-term complications of cardiotoxic chemotherapy.