Biomarkers to detect anthracycline induced sub-clinical cardiotoxicity
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study to investigate the use of biomarkers in oncology patients to detect anthracycline induced sub-clinical cardiotoxicity
IRAS ID
308636
Contact name
Theresa McDonagh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Anthracyclines are a highly effective and commonly prescribed class of chemotherapy drugs used in the treatment of a variety of cancers. A risk of using anthracycline chemotherapy is the development of heart disease called cardiotoxicity. This can affect between 9-25% of patients receiving anthracycline treatment. Cardiotoxicity encompasses an early sub-clinical phase of injury to the heart which may lead on to the development of more significant heart muscle dysfunction or heart failure.
The early identification of patients with sub-clinical cardiotoxicity is clinically important, as it identifies those at greatest risk for the development significant heart problems in the future. At present, accurate biomarkers to detect sub-clinical cardiotoxicity are lacking, and there is a pressing need for alternatives.
This study aims to investigate the use of novel blood and imaging biomarkers to detect sub-clinical cardiotoxicity. The overall aim is to identify accurate biomarkers that detect the early phase of injury to the heart. This will improve patient care by improving the assessment of their risk of developing cardiotoxicity. In turn, this will help tailor their cardiac surveillance more appropriately during treatment and in the longer term. It will also help to facilitate the earlier introduction of cardiac treatments in those patients who develop heart muscle dysfunction, in order to improve their chances of cardiac recovery and reduce their risk of cardiovascular death.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SC/0311
Date of REC Opinion
2 Sep 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion