Trastuzumab and vascular endothelial function
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effects of trastuzumab on microvascular and macrovascular endothelial function in patients with breast cancer
IRAS ID
114933
Contact name
Amtul R Carmichael
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, accounting for 31% of all new cancers cases in females. Treatment of breast cancer has improved in recent years by the use of trastuzumab. However, although trastuzumab has obvious benefits in treating breast cancer, it also has side-effects on the function of the heart which is known as cardiotoxicity. It is possible that the cardiotoxic effects of trastuzumab may be due to its effect on the heart’s ability to pump blood around the body. Previous research has shown that the cardiotoxic effects of trastuzumab are reversible (i.e. the effects disappear when treatment is stopped). Reversible abnormalities in the function of the heart could be due to problems in the blood vessels of the heart. Therefore, trastuzumab may affect the blood vessels of the heart leading to reduced heart function. To our knowledge, there are no studies which have examined the effect of trastuzumab on blood vessel function in breast cancer patients.
The endothelium makes up the inside layer of all blood vessels and helps to widen the vessel to increase blood flow, or constrict the vessel to reduce blood flow. When the endothelium is damaged it cannot widen properly and blood flow to a tissue is reduced – this is known as endothelial dysfunction. If this happens in the heart, the heart will no longer function properly. Fortunately, the ‘health’ of the endothelium can be assessed using a number of non-invasive techniques called endothelial function tests. Common endothelial function tests include inducing sudden increases in blood flow in the vessels, or the administration of drugs that cause the blood vessels to widen (such as acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside and glyceryl trinitrate). In the present study we aim to test endothelial function in the peripheral circulation of breast cancer patients treated with trastuzumab.
REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/WM/0243
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jul 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion