Automated coronary artery calcium scoring in patients with breast cancer to assess the risk of heart disease following adjuvant radiation therapy

Effects of confounding and effect-modifying lifestyle, environmental and medical factors on risk of radiation-associated cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. It has been known for some considerable time that radiation is associated with excess risk of CVD. A recent systematic review of radiation and CVD highlighted substantial inter-study heterogeneity in effect, possibly a result of confounding or modifications of radiation effect by non-radiation factors, in particular by the major lifestyle/environmental/medical risk factors and latent period.

METHODS

We assessed effects of confounding by lifestyle/environmental/medical risk factors on radiation-associated CVD and investigated evidence for modifying effects of these variables on CVD radiation dose-response, using data assembled for a recent systematic review.

RESULTS

There are 43 epidemiologic studies which are informative on effects of adjustment for confounding or risk modifying factors on radiation-associated CVD. Of these 22 were studies of groups exposed to substantial doses of medical radiation for therapy or diagnosis. The remaining 21 studies were of groups exposed at much lower levels of dose and/or dose rate. Only four studies suggest substantial effects of adjustment for lifestyle/environmental/medical risk factors on radiation risk of CVD; however, there were also substantial uncertainties in the estimates in all of these studies. There are fewer suggestions of effects that modify the radiation dose response; only two studies, both at lower levels of dose, report the most serious level of modifying effect.

CONCLUSIONS

There are still large uncertainties about confounding factors or lifestyle/environmental/medical variables that may influence radiation-associated CVD, although indications are that there are not many studies in which there are substantial confounding effects of these risk factors.

Internal Mammary Node Irradiation Debate: Case Closed? Not Yet, and Maybe Never

The IMN debate is still open and may never be closed for reasons outlined in this Comments and Controversies piece.

Cancer survivorship at heart: a multidisciplinary cardio-oncology roadmap for healthcare professionals

In cancer, a patient is considered a survivor from the time of initial diagnosis until the end of life. With improvements in early diagnosis and treatment, the number of cancer survivors (CS) has grown considerably and includes: (1) Patients cured and free from cancer who may be at risk of late-onset cancer therapy-related cardiovascular toxicity (CTR-CVT); (2) Patients with long-term control of not-curable cancers in whom CTR-CVT may need to be addressed. This paper highlights the importance of the cancer care continuum, of a patient-centered approach and of a prevention-oriented policy. The ultimate goal is a personalized care of CS, achievable only through a multidisciplinary-guided survivorship care plan, one that replaces the fragmented management of current healthcare systems. Collaboration between oncologists and cardiologists is the pillar of a framework in which primary care providers and other specialists must be engaged and in which familial, social and environmental factors are also taken into account.

Prognostic value of coronary atherosclerosis and CAC score for the risk of chemotherapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD): The protocol of ANTEC study

BACKGROUND

Cardiological complications of oncological treatment, including the most serious one, heart failure, constitute a significant and still unsolved clinical problem. A history of dyslipidemia and complications of atherosclerosis, including coronary artery disease, are established risk factors for cardiotoxicity in cancer patients. In recent years, a protective effect of statin treatment on the development of heart failure in cancer patients has been observed. This protocol describes a study aiming to assess the prognostic value of coronary atherosclerosis burden and the CAC score on the onset of cardiac dysfunction associated with cancer therapy.

METHODS

ANTEC (Atherosclerosis iN chemoTherapy-rElated Cardiotoxicity) is a single-site, prospective, observational study to evaluate the influence of the coronary atherosclerosis and CAC score assessed by computed tomography on the development of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in cancer patients with at least moderate cardiotoxicity risk. A group of 80 patients diagnosed with cancer prior to high-dose anthracycline chemotherapy (doxorubicin ≥ 240 mg / m2 body weight or epirubicin ≥ 600 mg / m2 body weight), without a history of heart failure and coronary artery disease, will be included in the study. Patient follow-up is planned for 12 months. In all patients, coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) will be performed once at the beginning of the study. The primary endpoint is the onset of cancer therapy-related cardiovascular toxicity, defined as mild, moderate, severe and very severe according to ESC 2022 Cardio-oncology guidelines. During follow up, echocardiography with GLS assessment will be performed every three months. Additionally, new biomarkers of atherosclerosis (IL-6, MPO, TNF-alpha) will be measured every 6 months. The study registration identifier on clinicaltrials.gov is NCT05118178.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY

This study is listed on cinicaltrials.gov with identifier NCT05118178.

Early Development of Atherosclerotic Plaques in the Coronary Arteries after Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer (BACCARAT Study)

Background-Radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer (BC) can lead to an increased risk of coronary artery disease several years after RT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of overall, non-calcified and calcified atherosclerotic plaques over 2 years after BC for RT and associations with cardiac exposure. Methods-The study included 101 left- or right-sided BC patients treated with RT without chemotherapy. A coronary CT angiography was performed before and 2 years after RT. Plaque development thorough the entire coronary network was defined as an increased number of plaques. Cardiac exposure was quantified with mean doses to the heart, left ventricle, and coronary arteries. Logistic regression models were used to assess association with doses. Results-At inclusion, 37% of patients had plaques, increasing to 42% two years after RT. Overall plaque development was observed in seven patients: five with calcified plaque development and four with non-calcified plaque development. The risk of overall plaque development was significantly associated with doses to the Left Main and Circumflex coronary arteries (OR at 1 Gy = 2.32, p = 0.03 and OR at 1 Gy = 2.27, p = 0.03, respectively). Specific analyses for calcified and non-calcified plaque development showed similar results. Conclusion-Our study suggests an association between coronary arteries exposure and the risk of developing both calcified and non-calcified atherosclerotic plaques over 2 years after BC RT. Trial registration number: NCT02605512.

Early Coronary Artery Calcification Progression over Two Years in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Radiation Therapy: Association with Cardiac Exposure (BACCARAT Study)

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer (BC) can induce coronary artery disease many years after RT. At an earlier stage, during the first two years after RT, we aimed to evaluate the occurrence of increased coronary artery calcium (CAC) and its association with cardiac exposure. Methods: This prospective study included 101 BC patients treated with RT without chemotherapy. Based on CAC CT scans performed before and two years after RT, the event ‘CAC progression’ was defined by an increase in overall CAC score (CAC RT+ two years—CAC before RT > 0). Dosimetry was evaluated for whole heart, left ventricle (LV), and coronary arteries. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess association with doses. Results: Two years after RT, 28 patients presented the event ‘CAC progression’, explained in 93% of cases by a higher CAC score in the left anterior descending coronary (LAD). A dose−response relationship was observed with LV exposure (for Dmean LV: OR = 1.15, p = 0.04). LAD exposure marginally explained increased CAC in the LAD (for D2 LV: OR =1.03, p = 0.07). Conclusion: The risk of early CAC progression may be associated with LV exposure. This progression might primarily be a consequence of CAC increase in the LAD and its exposure.