Contribution of Genome-Wide Polygenic Score to Risk of Coronary Artery Disease in Childhood Cancer Survivors

Genetic Background in Patients with Cancer Therapy-Induced Cardiomyopathy

Emerging evidence indicates that specific genetic variants are associated with an increased risk of toxicity from anticancer treatments and cancer-related cardiovascular complications. These genetic factors influence drug metabolism, efficacy, and susceptibility to adverse effects. For cancer patients, the genetic background can have two major cardiovascular implications, namely therapy-related cardiotoxicity and cancer-related cardiovascular complications. Baseline risk stratification is essential to identify higher-risk individuals and ensure they receive appropriate preventive and therapeutic interventions and more frequent follow-up. Current guidelines recommend stratification based on cardiovascular risk factors, but these factors alone cannot accurately define individual risk. Genetic background has been shown to enhance risk stratification. Beyond rare genetic variants, recent genome-wide association studies have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms implicated in cancer therapy toxicity. Despite their current limitations, polygenic risk scores are expected to play a significant role in risk stratification. This review aims to summarize the current evidence on the role of the genetic background of patients with cancer treated with potentially cardiotoxic drugs who develop cardiotoxicity, aiming to provide insights to refine risk stratification further and tailor the management of these patients.

Genetic and epigenetic bases of long-term adverse effects of childhood cancer therapy

Over the past decade, genome-scale molecular profiling of large childhood cancer survivorship cohorts has led to unprecedented advances in our understanding of the genetic and epigenetic bases of therapy-related adverse health outcomes in this vulnerable population. To facilitate the integration of knowledge generated from these studies into formulating next-generation precision care for survivors of childhood cancer, we summarize key findings of genetic and epigenetic association studies of long-term therapy-related adverse effects including subsequent neoplasms and cardiomyopathies among others. We also discuss therapy-related genotoxicities including clonal haematopoiesis and DNA methylation, which may underlie accelerated molecular ageing. Finally, we highlight enhanced risk prediction models for survivors of childhood cancer that incorporate both genetic factors and treatment exposures, aiming to achieve enhanced accuracy in predicting risks for this population. These new insights will hopefully inspire future studies that harness both expanding omics resources and evolving data science methodology to accelerate the translation of precision medicine for survivors of childhood cancer.

The Late Effects of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplants in Pediatric Patients: A 25-Year Review

CONTEXT

A rare, large, single-center study covering all long-term health outcomes of pediatric allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) survivors, to provide comprehensive local data and identify gaps and future directions for improved care.

OBJECTIVE

To document endocrine sequelae and other late effects of all HSCT recipients.

DESIGN

Retrospective review.

SETTING

Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne.

PATIENTS

384 children and adolescents received HSCT; 228 formed the study cohort; 212 were alive at commencement of data accrual.

INTERVENTION

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence of endocrinopathies; fertility, growth, bone and metabolic status; subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs).

RESULTS

Gonadotoxicity was more common in females (P < .001). Total body irradiation (TBI) conditioning was more toxic than chemotherapy alone. All females receiving TBI or higher cyclophosphamide equivalent doses developed premature ovarian insufficiency. In males, impaired spermatogenesis +/- testicular endocrine dysfunction was associated with increasing testicular radiation exposure. Preservation of gonadal function was associated with younger age at HSCT. Of sexually active females, 22% reported spontaneous pregnancies. Short stature was common, with GH axis disruption in 30% of these. Of patients exposed to thyroid radiation, 51% developed nodules; 30% were malignant. Metabolic disturbances included hypertension and dyslipidemias, with both excess and underweight reported. Fragility fractures occurred in 6% and avascular necrosis in 6%. Thirteen percent developed SMNs, with the risk continuing to rise throughout follow-up.

CONCLUSION

We confirm gonadal dysfunction, multiple endocrine and metabolic abnormalities, thyroid cancer, and SMNs as common sequelae of HSCT and identify gaps in management-particularly the need for informed fertility counseling and pretreatment fertility preservation, evaluation, and management of bone health-and underline the need for early lifestyle modification, long-term surveillance, and prospective planned studies aimed at reducing complication risk.

Cardiovascular Disease in Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Survivors: The Impact of Family History of Premature Heart Disease

Purpose: Childhood, adolescent, and young adult (CAYA) cancer survivors (age 0-39 years at diagnosis) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Family history of early heart disease increases the risk of CVD in the general population; however, it is unknown whether this association is seen in CAYA cancer survivors. Methods: Self-report data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2018) were used to identify CAYA survivors (>5 years post-diagnosis). The risk of CVD based on family history status (parent or sibling with a diagnosis of heart attack or angina before age 50 years), personal sociodemographic factors, personal medical history factors, and personal behavioral risk factors was determined using logistic regression models. Results: Included were 95 CAYA survivors with CVD and 491 CAYA survivors without CVD. The odds of CVD were significantly higher in survivors with a first-degree family history of early heart disease (odds ratio [OR]: 2.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14-3.74). A history of diabetes (OR: 2.61, 95% CI: 1.41-4.84), hypertension (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.04-3.16), and any smoking (OR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.19-4.02) was also associated with higher odds of CVD in CAYA survivors. Reporting any physical activity in the past month was associated with lower odds (OR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.30-0.97) of CVD. Conclusions: Family history of early heart disease was associated with increased odds of CVD in CAYA cancer survivors. Obtaining complete and accurate family history information is important both at time of diagnosis and throughout follow-up.

Polygenic risk scores, radiation treatment exposures and subsequent cancer risk in childhood cancer survivors

Survivors of childhood cancer are at increased risk for subsequent cancers attributable to the late effects of radiotherapy and other treatment exposures; thus, further understanding of the impact of genetic predisposition on risk is needed. Combining genotype data for 11,220 5-year survivors from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study and the St Jude Lifetime Cohort, we found that cancer-specific polygenic risk scores (PRSs) derived from general population, genome-wide association study, cancer loci identified survivors of European ancestry at increased risk of subsequent basal cell carcinoma (odds ratio per s.d. of the PRS: OR = 1.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.29-1.46), female breast cancer (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.27-1.58), thyroid cancer (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.31-1.67), squamous cell carcinoma (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.00-1.44) and melanoma (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.31-1.96); however, the association for colorectal cancer was not significant (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.94-1.52). An investigation of joint associations between PRSs and radiotherapy found more than additive increased risks of basal cell carcinoma, and breast and thyroid cancers. For survivors with radiotherapy exposure, the cumulative incidence of subsequent cancer by age 50 years was increased for those with high versus low PRS. These findings suggest a degree of shared genetic etiology for these malignancy types in the general population and survivors, which remains evident in the context of strong radiotherapy-related risk.

Effect of chemotherapy in tumor on coronary arteries: Mechanisms and management

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an important contributor to the cardiovascular burden in cancer survivors. The development of coronary ischemia events, myocardial infarction, and heart failure has been associated with many conventional chemotherapeutic agents, new targeted therapies, and immunotherapy. The most frequent pathological manifestations of chemotherapy-mediated coronary damage include acute vasospasm, acute thrombosis, accelerated atherosclerosis development, and microvascular dysfunction. Potential screening techniques for CAD patients include baseline risk factor evaluation, polygenic risk factors, and coronary artery calcium scores. Determining the risk requires consideration of both the type of chemotherapy and the type of cancer being treated. Cardiology-oncology guidelines offer some suggestions for the care of coronary artery disease, which might involve medication, lifestyle changes, and coronary revascularization.