Defining robust predictors of chemotherapy related cardiotoxicity.

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Defining robust predictors of chemotherapy related cardiotoxicity.

  • IRAS ID

    288741

  • Contact name

    Charlotte Manisty

  • Contact email

    c.manisty@ucl.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University College London

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    Z6364106/2021/03/135, UCL DPN

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    3 years, 1 months, 1 days

  • Research summary


    Cancer affects 1 in 2 people during their life. Major improvements in cancer treatment mean that many people are now living longer with cancer. But certain cancer drugs have the potential to damage the heart and blood vessels. One type of cancer therapy called fluoropyrimidines, is used in many cancers including bowel, breast, pancreatic and head and neck. This chemotherapy can cause chest pain, heart attacks and abnormal heart rhythms in up to 20% of patients.

    Adverse cardiac events lead to disruption of chemotherapy and can lead to adverse cancer outcomes. Some patients will require alternative treatment. Most cardiac events occur during the first cycle of treatment with fluoropyrimidines.

    Currently, we do not know how to predict which patients are most likely to be affected.
    If we were able to confidently identify this then we could potentially reduce risk of toxicity by giving cardioprotective medications or we would be able to confidently identify those who should be given alternative chemotherapy.

    Our study will prospectively risk assess patients prior to initiation of chemotherapy using a formal cardiovascular risk assessment (QRisk3) and we will follow them up during treatment to see if they develop any clinical cardiovascular toxicity. We will also perform blood tests looking at circulating cardiac enzymes at baseline and at intervals during treatment.

  • REC name

    London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    21/PR/1007

  • Date of REC Opinion

    13 Aug 2021

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion