Assessment of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in childhood cancer survivors during long-term follow-up using strain analysis and intraventricular pressure gradient measurements.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac dysfunction due to cardiotoxicity from anthracycline chemotherapy is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood cancer survivors (CCS), and the cumulative incidence of cardiac events has continued to increase. This study identifies an adequate indicator of cardiac dysfunction during long-term follow-up. PROCEDURE: In total, 116 patients (median age: 15.5 [range: 4.7-40.2] years) with childhood cancer who were treated with anthracycline were divided into three age groups for analysis (C1: 4-12 years of age, C2: 13-18 years of age, C3: 19-40 years of age), and 116 control patients of similar ages were divided into three corresponding groups (N1, N2, and N3). Layer-specific strains were assessed for longitudinal strain (LS) and circumferential strain (CS). The total and segmental intraventricular pressure gradients (IVPG) were also calculated based on Doppler imaging of the mitral inflow using Euler's equation. RESULTS: Conventional echocardiographic parameters were not significantly different between the patients and controls. All layers of the LS and inner and middle layers of the basal and papillary CS in all ages and all IVPGs in C2 and C3 decreased compared to those of corresponding age groups. Interestingly, basal CS and basal IVPG in CCS showed moderate correlation and both tended to rapidly decrease with aging. Furthermore, basal IVPG and anthracycline dose showed significant correlations. CONCLUSIONS: Basal CS and total and basal IVPGs may be particularly useful indicators of cardiotoxicity in long-term follow-up.

Assessment of early anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and liver injury with T2 and T2* mapping in rabbit models.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the early prevalence of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (AIC) and anthracycline-induced liver injury (AILI) using T2 and T2* mapping and to explore their correlations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 17 cardiotoxic rabbits that received weekly injections of doxorubicin and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) every 2 weeks for 10 weeks. Cardiac function and T2 and T2* values were measured on each period. Histopathological examinations for two to five rabbits were performed after each MRI scan. The earliest sensitive time and the threshold of MRI parameters for detecting AIC and AILI based on these MRI parameters were obtained. Moreover, the relationship between myocardial and liver damage was assessed. RESULTS: Early AIC could be detected by T2 mapping as early as the second week and focused on the 7th, 11th, and 12th segments of left ventricle. The cutoff value of 46.64 for the 7th segment had the best diagnostic value, with an area under the curve (of 0.767, sensitivity of 100%, and specificity of 52%. T2* mapping could detect the change in iron content for early AIC at the middle interventricular septum and AILI as early as the sixth week (p = 0.014, p = 0.027). The T2* values of the middle interventricular septum showed a significant positive association with the T2* values of the liver (r = 0.39, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: T2 and T2* mapping showed value one-stop assessment of AIC and AILI and could obtain the earliest MRI diagnosis point and optimal parameter thresholds for these conditions. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity could be detected by T2 mapping as earlier as the second week, mainly focusing on the 7th, 11th, and 12th segments of left ventricle. Combined with T2* mapping, hepatoxicity and supplementary cardiotoxicity were assessed by one-stop scan. KEY POINTS: • MRI screening time of cardiotoxicity was as early as the second week with focusing on T2 values of the 7th, 11th, and 12th segments of left ventricle. • T2* mapping could be used as a complement to T2 mapping to evaluate cardiotoxicity and as an effective index to detect iron change in the early stages of chemotherapy. • The T2* values of the middle interventricular septum showed a significant positive association with the T2* values of the liver, indicating that iron content in the liver and heart increased with an increase in the chemotherapeutic drugs.

Major cardiovascular adverse events in older adults with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer treated with adjuvant taxane + anthracycline versus taxane-based chemotherapy regimens: A SEER-medicare study.

BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is more aggressive as compared to other subtypes of breast cancer with characteristic metastatic patterns and a poor prognosis. The standard of care for early-stage TNBC is historically anthracycline and taxane-based chemotherapy (ATAX). Despite the effectiveness of this regimen, anthracyclines carry a small but important risk of cardiotoxicity, which is specifically a concern in the older population. This study evaluates major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in older women with TNBC treated with ATAX compared to taxane-based chemotherapy (TAX). METHODS: Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database, we identified women aged 66 and older with TNBC diagnosed between 2010 and 2015 (N = 2215). We compared patient and clinical characteristics according to adjuvant chemotherapy regimen (chemotherapy versus no chemotherapy and ATAX versus TAX). Logistic regression was performed to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated to estimate three-year overall survival (OS) and cancer specific survival (CSS). Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze OS and CSS while controlling for patient and tumor characteristics. MACE was defined as acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, potentially fatal arrhythmia, and cerebral vascular incidence. Few patients experienced a cardiac death and therefore this was excluded in the analysis. RESULTS: Of the 2215 patients in our cohort, most patients (n = 1334; 60.26%) received TAX compared to ATAX (n = 881; 39.78%). Patients who received ATAX were not statistically significantly more likely than those who received TAX to experience acute myocardial infarction, cerebral vascular accident (CVA), or potentially fatal arrhythmia when controlling for traditional risk factors. Among patients who experienced MACE, there was no difference in OS or CSS in patients who received TAX vs ATAX. Patients who received ATAX were less likely to develop heart failure than those who received TAX (OR 0.63, 95% CI [0.45-0.88], p < 0.01). Patients who developed MACE and who were > 76 years old had worse OS compared to those who experienced MACE and were age 66-75 years old (HR 1.67, 95% CI [1.07-2.62], p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Among older women with TNBC, receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy with ATAX was not associated with increased risk of major adverse cardiac events. For those who experienced a cardiac event, there was no difference in survival amongst those who received TAX vs ATAX. Other factors including additional chemotherapy toxicities should be investigated as a potential etiology for the inferior OS previously observed with ATAX vs TAX in older women with node negative or 1-3 positive lymph nodes.

Molecular assessment of drug-phospholipid interactions consequent to cancer treatment: a study of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity.

Cardiotoxicity limits the use of anthracyclines as potent chemotherapeutics. We employ classical molecular dynamics to explore anthracycline interactions with a realistic myocardial membrane and compare to an ideal membrane widely used in literature. The interaction of these two membranes with four anthracyclines; doxorubicin, epirubicin, daunorubicin, and idarubicin are studied. Careful analysis was conducted on three forms of each drug; pristine, primary metabolite, and cationic salt. By examining the molecular residence time near the membrane's surface, the average number of molecule/membrane hydrogen bonds, the immobilization of the molecules near the membrane, and the location of those molecules relative to the mid-plane of the membrane we found out that salt forms exhibit the highest cardiotoxic probability, followed by the metabolites and pristine forms. Additionally, all forms have more affinity to the upper layer of the realistic myocardial membrane. Meanwhile, an ideal membrane consisting of a single type of phospholipids is not capable of capturing the specific interactions of each drug form. These findings confirm that cardiotoxic mechanisms are membrane-layer and drug-form dependent.

Longitudinal strain analysis for assessment of early cardiotoxicity during anthracycline treatment in childhood sarcoma: A single center experience.

BACKGROUND: The growing population of long-term childhood cancer survivors encounter a substantial burden of cardiovascular complications. The highest risk of cardiovascular complications is associated with exposure to anthracyclines and chest radiation. Longitudinal cardiovascular surveillance is recommended for childhood cancer patients; however, the optimal methods and timing are yet to be elucidated. AIMS: We aimed to investigate the feasibility of different echocardiographic methods to evaluate left ventricular systolic function in retrospective datasets, including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), fractional shortening (FS), global longitudinal strain (GLS) and longitudinal strain (LS) as well as the incidence and timing of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction detected by these methods. METHODS AND RESULTS: A retrospective longitudinal study was performed with re-analysis of longitudinal echocardiographic data, acquired during treatment and early follow-up, including 41 pediatric sarcoma patients, aged 2.1-17.8 years at diagnosis, treated at Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, during the period 2010-2021. All patients had received treatment according to protocols including high cumulative doxorubicin equivalent doses (≥250 mg/m2 ). In 68% of all 366 echocardiograms, LS analysis was feasible. Impaired LS values (<17%) was demonstrated in >40%, with concomitant impairment of either LVEF or FS in 20% and combined impairment of both LVEF and FS in <10%. Importantly, there were no cases of abnormal LVEF and FS without concomitant LS impairment. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate feasibility of LS in a majority of echocardiograms and a high incidence of impaired LS during anthracycline treatment for childhood sarcoma. We propose inclusion of LS in pediatric echocardiographic surveillance protocols.

In Silico and In Vitro Assessment of Carbonyl Reductase 1 Inhibition Using ASP9521-A Potent Aldo-Keto Reductase 1C3 Inhibitor with the Potential to Support Anticancer Therapy Using Anthracycline Antibiotics.

Anthracycline antibiotics (ANT) are among the most widely used anticancer drugs. Unfortunately, their use is limited due to the development of drug resistance and cardiotoxicity. ANT metabolism, performed mainly by two enzymes-aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) and carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1)-is one of the proposed mechanisms generated by the described effects. In this study, we evaluated the CBR1 inhibitory properties of ASP9521, a compound already known as potent AKR1C3 inhibitor. First, we assessed the possibility of ASP9521 binding to the CBR1 catalytic site using molecular docking and molecular dynamics. The research revealed a potential binding mode of ASP9521. Moderate inhibitory activity against CBR1 was observed in studies with recombinant enzymes. Finally, we examined whether ASP9521 can improve the cytotoxic activity of daunorubicin against human lung carcinoma cell line A549 and assessed the cardioprotective properties of ASP9521 in a rat cardiomyocytes model (H9c2) against doxorubicin- and daunorubicin-induced toxicity. The addition of ASP9521 ameliorated the cytotoxic activity of daunorubicin and protected rat cardiomyocytes from the cytotoxic effect of both applied drugs. Considering the favorable bioavailability and safety profile of ASP9521, the obtained results encourage further research. Inhibition of both AKR1C3 and CBR1 may be a promising method of overcoming ANT resistance and cardiotoxicity.

Functional status and therapy for older adults with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in nursing homes: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the prevalence of functional and cognitive impairments, and associations between impairments and treatment among older patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) receiving nursing home (NH) care. METHODS: We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database to identify beneficiaries diagnosed with DLBCL 2011-2015 who received care in a NH within -120 ~ +30 days of diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare receipt of chemoimmunotherapy (including multi-agent, anthracycline-containing regimens), 30-day mortality, and hospitalization between NH and community-dwelling patients, estimating odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). We also examined overall survival (OS). Among NH patients, we examined receipt of chemoimmunotherapy based on functional and cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Of the eligible 649 NH patients (median age: 82 years), 45% received chemoimmunotherapy; among the recipients, 47% received multi-agent, anthracycline-containing regimens. Compared with community-dwelling patients, those in a NH were less likely to receive chemoimmunotherapy (OR: 0.34, 95%CI: 0.29-0.41), had higher 30-day mortality (OR: 2.00, 95%CI: 1.43-2.78) and hospitalization (OR: 1.51, 95%CI: 1.18-1.93), and poorer OS (hazard ratio: 1.36, 95%CI: 1.11-1.65). NH patients with severe functional (61%) or any cognitive impairment (48%) were less likely to receive chemoimmunotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: High rates of functional and cognitive impairment and low rates of chemoimmunotherapy were observed among NH residents diagnosed with DLBCL. Further research is needed to better understand the potential role of novel and alternative treatment strategies and patient preferences for treatment to optimize clinical care and outcomes in this high-risk population.

Clinical outcomes of adjuvant taxane plus anthracycline versus taxane-based chemotherapy regimens in older adults with node-positive, triple-negative breast cancer: A SEER-Medicare study.

BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer associated with an aggressive clinical course. Adjuvant chemotherapy reduces the risk of recurrence and improves survival in patients with node-positive TNBC. The benefit of anthracycline plus taxane (ATAX) regimens compared with non-anthracycline-containing, taxane-based regimens (TAX) in older women with node-positive TNBC is not well characterised. METHODS: Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database, we identified 1106 women with node-positive TNBC diagnosed at age 66 years and older between 2010 and 2015. We compared patient clinical characteristics according to adjuvant chemotherapy regimen (chemotherapy versus no chemotherapy and ATAX versus TAX). Logistic regression was performed to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated to estimate 3-year overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyse OS and CSS while controlling for patient and tumour characteristics. RESULTS: Of the 1106 patients in our cohort, 767 (69.3%) received adjuvant chemotherapy with ATAX (364/767, 47.5%), TAX (297/767, 39%) or other regimens (106/767, 13.8%). Independent predictors of which patients were more likely to receive ATAX versus TAX included more extensive nodal involvement (≥4), age, marital/partner status and non-cardiac comorbidities. There was a statistically significant improvement in 3-year CSS (81.8% versus 71.4%) and OS (70.7% versus 51.3%) with the use of any chemotherapy in our cohort (P < 0.01). Three-year CSS and OS for patients who received ATAX versus TAX were similar at 82.8% versus 83.7% (P = 0.80) and 74.2% versus 72.7% (P = 0.79), respectively. There was a trend towards improved CSS and OS in patients with four or more positive lymph nodes who received ATAX versus TAX (hazard ratio 0.66, 95% CI: 0.36-1.23, P = 0.19 and hazard ratio 0.68, 95% CI: 0.41-1.14, P = 0.14, respectively). CONCLUSION: Among older women with node-positive TNBC, a majority of patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, which was associated with an improvement in CSS and OS. When compared with TAX chemotherapy, there was a trend towards better outcomes with ATAX for patients with ≥4 nodes.

Association of Preexisting Heart Failure With Outcomes in Older Patients With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

Importance: Anthracycline-containing regimens are highly effective for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL); however, patients with preexisting heart failure (HF) may be less likely to receive anthracyclines and may be at higher risk of lymphoma mortality. Objective: To assess the prevalence of preexisting HF in older patients with DLBCL and its association with treatment patterns and outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants: This longitudinal cohort study used data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare registry from 1999 to 2016. The SEER registry is a system of population-based cancer registries, capturing more than 25% of the US population. Linkage to Medicare offers additional information from billing claims. This study included individuals 65 years and older with newly diagnosed DLBCL from 2000 to 2015 with Medicare Part A or B continuously in the year prior to lymphoma diagnosis. Data were analyzed from September 2020 to December 2022. Exposures: Preexisting HF in the year prior to DLBCL diagnosis ascertained from billing codes required one of the following: (1) 1 primary inpatient discharge diagnosis, (2) 2 outpatient diagnoses, (3) 3 secondary inpatient discharge diagnoses, (4) 3 emergency department diagnoses, or (5) 2 secondary inpatient discharge diagnoses plus 1 outpatient diagnosis. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was anthracycline-based treatment. The secondary outcomes were (1) cardioprotective medications and (2) cause-specific mortality. The associations between preexisting HF and cancer treatment were estimated using multivariable logistic regression. The associations between preexisting HF and cause-specific mortality were evaluated using cause-specific Cox proportional hazards models with adjustment for comorbidities and cancer treatment. Results: Of 30 728 included patients with DLBCL, 15 474 (50.4%) were female, and the mean (SD) age was 77.8 (7.2) years. Preexisting HF at lymphoma diagnosis was present in 4266 patients (13.9%). Patients with preexisting HF were less likely to be treated with an anthracycline (odds ratio, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.49-0.61). Among patients with preexisting HF who received an anthracycline, dexrazoxane or liposomal doxorubicin were used in 78 of 1119 patients (7.0%). One-year lymphoma mortality was 41.8% (95% CI, 40.5-43.2) with preexisting HF and 29.6% (95% CI, 29.0%-30.1%) without preexisting HF. Preexisting HF was associated with higher lymphoma mortality in models adjusting for baseline and time-varying treatment factors (hazard ratio, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.18-1.31). Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, preexisting HF in patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL was common and was associated with lower use of anthracyclines and lower use of any chemotherapy. Trials are needed for this high-risk population.

Assessment of Global Cardiac Function Using AutoSTRAIN Automatic Strain Quantitative Technology in Patients With Breast Cancer Undergoing Anthracycline-Based Chemotherapy.

In patients with breast cancer undergoing anthracycline-based chemotherapy, we investigated the deformational parameters of the left ventricle, right ventricle and left atrium, as well as the relationship between these parameters. Ninety-five patients with breast cancer who were treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy were enrolled. The control group included 116 healthy female volunteers. Parameters including left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS); right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWSL) and global longitudinal strain (RV4CSL); and peak strain of the left atrium during LV systole (LASR), early LV diastole (LASCD) and late LV diastole (LASCT) were analyzed by speckle tacking echocardiography. LV-GLS, LASR, LASCD, RVFWSL and RV4CSL in the chemotherapy group decreased significantly by 15.6%, 13.8%, 19.8%, 21.8% and 13.2% (p < 0.05), respectively, when compared with the control group. LASCT was slightly increased in the chemotherapy group but the increase was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Formulas for the influencing factors of LV-GLS were LV-GLS = -18.73738541 + 0.13961 × LVIDd + 0.09672 × LASCD + 0.18113 × RVFWSL in the control group and LV-GLS = -8.026302253 + 0.20811 × LASCD + 0.11084 × LASCT + 0.12153 × RVFWSL in the chemotherapy group. Both LV contraction and RV contraction were impaired after the completion of anthracycline-based therapy, and RVFWSL may be superior to LV-GLS in assessing cardiotoxicity. LA reserve and channel function were significantly reduced, while pump function was slightly increased. Compared with the results among healthy people, the influencing factor of LV-GLS varied after anthracycline treatment, and LA function had a greater impact on LV-GLS.

Pre-Treatment Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Assessment and Long-Term Cardiovascular Outcomes in Adolescent and Young Adult Lymphoma Survivors.

Purpose: Anthracyclines can cause long-term cardiovascular (CV) morbidity, especially in long-term Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) lymphoma survivors. Pre-treatment left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) evaluation is recommended, although its utility in AYA is not established. We sought to determine the pre-treatment LVEF assessment practices in AYA lymphoma survivors treated with anthracyclines and factors associated with long-term cardiotoxicity. Methods: Through an electronic health records review, we retrospectively identified AYA lymphoma survivors with ≥5 years of follow-up postanthracycline treatment. Pre-treatment and follow-up data were abstracted. CV health conditions were defined as risk factors for CV disease and confirmed CV diagnoses. Survivors who had new CV health conditions at follow-up were compared to those who were not using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: One hundred fifteen AYA lymphoma survivors met the study criteria. Pre-treatment LVEF assessment did not affect chemotherapy decisions. Survivors with pre-treatment CV evaluation had mean follow-up since diagnosis of 8 ± 3.3 years, while survivors without it had 10.3 ± 4.2 years, p < 0.05. Survivors with pre-treatment LVEF assessment received lower cumulative anthracycline dose (240.4 mg/m2 vs. 280.1 mg/m2, p < 0.05) and fewer cycles of chemotherapy (4.8 ± 1.5 vs. 5.6 ± 1.2, p < 0.05). Body mass index (BMI) category at diagnosis and follow-up, in addition to age were associated with development of new CV health conditions, pre-treatment LVEF evaluation was not. Conclusion: Pre-treatment LVEF assessment for AYA lymphoma survivors does not impact oncologic treatment decisions or development of CV health conditions. It may be more valuable to assess and modify CV risk factors such as BMI for CV disease prevention.

Myocardial Deformation Imaging by Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography for Assessment of Cardiotoxicity in Children during and after Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Children with cancer and childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at risk for developing chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy. Myocardial deformation imaging has shown potential in the early detection of subclinical myocardial damage with implications on therapeutic interventions and improvement of outcomes. The aim of this study was to perform a systemic review and meta-analysis of literature on the assessment of left ventricular and right ventricular myocardial deformation by speckle-tracking echocardiography at rest and during stress in children with cancer during and in survivors after chemotherapy. METHODS: A systematic review was performed through searching MEDLINE, Embase, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus. Search hedges were created to cover the concepts of childhood cancer, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, anthracycline, cardiotoxicity, speckle-tracking, myocardial strain, and myocardial deformation. Two independent investigators reviewed the eligibility of articles for inclusion. The weighted mean difference in ventricular strain between pre- and postchemotherapy treatment and that between long-term CCS and healthy subjects were estimated using random-effect models with 95% CIs. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using I2 statistics and the Egger test, respectively. RESULTS: Of the total of 8,703 records initially identified, 42 studies with a total of 5,430 children with cancer were included. Of these 42 studies that showed heterogeneities, nine assessed early myocardial injury during chemotherapy, 30 assessed late myocardial injury after chemotherapy with no publication bias, and three studied myocardial mechanics during stress. The main findings were as follows: (1) left ventricular systolic deformation is impaired in children with cancer during the initial treatment phase and among long-term CCS, while data on changes in right ventricular deformation are limited and inconclusive; (2) the predictive value of early reduction of myocardial strain imaging in forecasting subsequent development of cardiotoxicity is unknown, as it has not been studied; (3) limited data suggest the possibility of impaired left ventricular contractile mechanics during stress in CCS; and (4) cumulative anthracycline dose and chest-directed radiotherapy are consistently identified as factors associated with impaired myocardial deformation. CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial strain imaging by speckle-tracking echocardiography unveils early evidence of myocardial injury in children with cancer and long-term CCS. To support its adoption for clinical use, more data are required for the better understating of myocardial deformation parameters in the risk stratification of children with cancer and prediction of development of cardiomyopathy among CCS.

Evaluating anthracycline + taxane versus taxane-based chemotherapy in older women with node-negative triple-negative breast cancer: a SEER-Medicare study.

PURPOSE: Adjuvant chemotherapy reduces recurrence in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, data are lacking evaluating anthracycline + taxane (ATAX) versus taxane-based (TAX) chemotherapy in older women with node-negative TNBC, as they are often excluded from trials. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of adjuvant ATAX versus TAX on cancer-specific (CSS) and overall survival (OS) in older patients with node-negative TNBC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using the SEER-Medicare database, we selected patients aged ≥ 66 years diagnosed with Stage T1-4N0M0 TNBC between 2010 and 2015 (N = 3348). Kaplan-Meier survival curves and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate 3-year OS and CSS. Multivariant Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent factors associated with use of ATAX compared to TAX. RESULTS: Approximately half (N = 1679) of patients identified received chemotherapy and of these, 58.6% (N = 984) received TAX, 25.0% (N = 420) received ATAX, and 16.4% (N = 275) received another regimen. Three-year CSS and OS was improved with any adjuvant chemotherapy from 88.9 to 92.2% (p = 0.0018) for CSS and 77.2% to 88.6% for OS (p < 0.0001). In contrast, treatment with ATAX compared to TAX was associated with inferior 3-year CSS and OS. Three-year CSS was 93.7% with TAX compared to 89.8% (p = 0.048) for ATAX and OS was 91.0% for TAX and 86.4% for ATAX (p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: While adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved clinical outcomes, the administration of ATAX compared to TAX was associated with inferior 3-year OS and CSS in older women with node-negative TNBC. The use of adjuvant ATAX should be considered carefully in this patient population.

Baseline cardio-oncologic risk assessment in breast cancer women and occurrence of cardiovascular events: The HFA/ICOS risk tool in real-world practice.

BACKGROUND: the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Association (HFA) together with the International Cardio-Oncology Society (ICOS) proposed charts for baseline CV risk assessment of cancer patients scheduled to receive anthracyclines and anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) agents. METHODS: We investigated HFA/ICOS risk stratification, prescriptions of cardioactive drugs, and occurrence of CV events in a multicentric breast cancer (BC) cohort from 3 Italian Outpatient Cardio-Oncology Clinics. RESULTS: 373 BC patients who underwent a baseline Cardio-Oncologic evaluation were included, of whom 202 scheduled to receive anthracyclines and 171 anti-HER2. Mean age was 60 ± 12 years and 49% of BC patients had ≥2 CV risk factors. In the anthracyclines group, 51% were at low-risk, 43% at medium-risk and 6% at high-risk; while in the anti-HER2 group, 27% patients were at low-risk, 58% at medium-risk and 15% at high-risk. In both groups, a medium-to-high risk was associated with use of cardioactive therapies (p < 0.0001). There were no LVD events in anthracycline recipients, and 16 LVD among anti-HER2 patients. A medium-to-high risk was not associated with LVD occurrence (p = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with medium-to-high HFA/ICOS risk were more likely to receive cardioactive therapies, possibly explaining the lack of association of risk categories with LVD occurrence.

Eficacia y seguridad de ixabepilona para el tratamiento de pacientes con cáncer de mama metastásico resistente a antraciclina, taxanos y capecitabina con estado funcional ECOG 0-1 / Efficacy and safety of ixabepilone for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer resistant to anthracyclines, taxanes and capecitabine with ECOG performance status 0-1

INTRODUCCIÓN: El presente dictamen expone la evaluación de la eficacia y seguridad de ixabepilona, comparado con la mejor terapia de soporte, para el tratamiento de pacientes con cáncer de mama metastásico (CMM) resistente a antraciclinas, taxanos y capecitabina con estado funcional ECOG 0-1. El cáncer de mama es la neoplasia más frecuente en mujeres en todo el mundo. En Perú, el cáncer de mama es la tercera causa de muerte por cáncer, con una tasa de mortalidad estandarizada por edad de 9.1 muertes por cada 100,000 habitantes. El cáncer mama metastásico (CMM) es una condición incurable que ocurre cuando la enfermedad se ha diseminado más allá de la mama y los ganglios linfáticos ipsilaterales hacia otros órganos. Se estima que la tasa de sobrevida global (SG) en pacientes con CMM, hasta los 5 años, es de aproximadamente 27 % con una mediana de SG de dos a tres años. Sin embargo, la esperanza de vida es menor a 1 año en pacientes con CMM que ya han recibido tres líneas de quimioterápicos. Asimismo, el 62 % de las pacientes con CMM tienen afectación visceral (hígado, pulmón o pleura), lo que compromete el funcionamiento normal de los órganos y las pacientes pueden presentar crisis visceral. La quimioterapia, dentro de las terapias sistémicas, es la principal opción terapéutica para la mayoría de las pacientes con CMM. No obstante, en casos muy avanzados de la enfermedad (como el CMM) y/o en casos de resistencia a varias líneas de tratamiento, las opciones terapéuticas que se pueden ofrecer a estas pacientes son escasas. Actualmente, EsSalud dispone de agentes quimioterápicos como: antraciclinas (inhibidor de topoisomerasa II), taxanos (agente anti microtúbulo) y capecitabina (inhibidor de nucleósido metabólico) para el tratamiento de pacientes con CMM. No obstante, ciertos pacientes no responden favorablemente a estos tratamientos. Los especialistas sugieren que ixabepilona puede ser una alternativa de tratamiento para los pacientes con CMM resistente a otros agentes como: antraciclinas, taxanos y capecitabina. METODOLOGÍA: Se llevó a cabo una búsqueda de la literatura científica con el objetivo de identificar la mejor evidencia sobre la eficacia y seguridad de ixabepilona en pacientes con CMM resistente a antraciclinas, taxanos y capecitabina con estado funcional ECOG 0-1. La búsqueda sistemática se realizó en las principales bases de datos PubMed, The Cochrane Library y LILACS. Asimismo, se realizó una búsqueda manual dentro de las bases de datos pertenecientes a grupos que realizan evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias (ETS) y guías de práctica clínica (GPC); incluyendo el National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), la Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH), el Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), la Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), el Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER), el Institut für Qualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit im Gesundheitswese (IQWiG), la Base Regional de Informes de evaluación de tecnologías en Salud de las Américas (BRISA), la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), el Ministerio de Salud del Perú (MINSA) y el Instituto de Evaluación de Tecnologías en Salud e Investigación (IETSI). Además, se realizó una búsqueda de GPC de las principales sociedades o instituciones especializadas en oncología como National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) y American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Finalmente, se realizó una búsqueda manual en la página web de registro de EC de ClinicalTrials.gov del National Institutes of Health (https://clinicaltrials.gov/) para identificar EC en curso o de resultados que no hayan sido publicados aún. RESULTADOS: Se llevó a cabo una búsqueda de evidencia científica con respecto al uso de ixabepilona como tratamiento de pacientes con CMM resistente a antraciclinas, taxanos y capecitabina con estado funcional ECOG 0-1. CONCLUSIONES:  El presente dictamen tuvo como objetivo evaluar la mejor evidencia disponible hasta julio de 2021 sobre la eficacia y seguridad de ixabepilona como terapia para pacientes con CMM resistente a antraciclinas, taxanos y capecitabina con ECOG 0-1.  Luego de la búsqueda sistemática, se identificaron dos GPC elaboradas por la NCCN y por la ESO-ESMO y un ensayo clínico de fase II (NCT00080262). Sobre las GPC, la NCCN señala que la mayoría de pacientes serán candidatos a múltiples líneas de terapia sistémica en función de su estado funcional; sin embargo, no especifica el número de líneas tratamiento a brindar. Dentro estos tratamientos señalan algunos como preferentes (antraciclinas, taxanos, capecitabina, gemcitabina y vinorelbina) y a otros como no preferentes (otros quimioterápicos e ixabepilona). La NCCN y la ESO-ESMO recomiendan la terapia paliativa. La NCCN recomienda que se considere no continuar con la terapia sistémica citotóxica y ofrecer la terapia paliativa en paciente con CMM que ha recibido varias líneas de quimioterápicos. La ESO-ESMO recomienda la terapia paliativa en pacientes con CMM cuyo tratamiento activo (e.g. quimioterapia) ya no sea capaz de controlar la enfermedad metastásica y la toxicidad supere los beneficios. El ensayo clínico de fase II, sin grupo control, evaluó el efecto de ixabepilona en la SG y la seguridad en pacientes con CMM resistente a antraciclina, taxanos y capecitabina. Debido al sesgo de reporte de resultados y, principalmente, la falta de grupo control, no se puede establecer una relación causal entre los resultados observados y el tratamiento con ixabepilona. Por lo tanto, no se puede determinar la eficacia comparativa entre ixabepilona y la mejor terapia de soporte que consiste en continuar con el uso de quimioterápicos y brindar cuidado paliativo. La incidencia de EA de grado 4 (34 %), el 11 % de pacientes que descontinuaron el tratamiento y la una muerte asociada al uso de ixabepilona, reportados en el EC fase II, y que fueron el motivo por que cual la EMA no aprobó su uso, sugieren que el perfil de seguridad de ixabepilona no sería favorable. Las evaluaciones de ixabepilona por parte de la EMA y la DIGEMID, basados en el EC fase II, concluyeron que los riesgos de ixabepilona superan sus potenciales beneficios en el tratamiento de pacientes con CMM. Por lo tanto, para estas instituciones tampoco sería seguro el uso de ixabepilona en el subgrupo de pacientes con CMM resistente a antraciclinas, taxanos y capecitabina.  Por lo expuesto, el IETSI no aprueba el uso de ixabepilona para el tratamiento de paciente con cáncer de mama metastásico resistente a antraciclinas, taxanos y capecitabina con estado funcional ECOG 0-1.

Eficacia y seguridad de ixabepilona en el tratamiento médico oncológico del cáncer de mama triple negativo resistente a antraciclinas y taxanos / Efficacy and safety of ixabepilone in the medical oncological treatment of triple negative breast cancer resistant to anthracyclines and taxanes

INTRODUÇÃO: El cáncer de mama es una enfermedad con una alta incidencia y mortalidad a nivel mundial, latinoamericano y en Perú. Se describen cuatro subtipos de cáncer de mama según la expresión o no de cuatro marcadores (receptor de estrógeno, RE; receptor de progesterona, RP; HER2 y Ki67): Luminal, HER2 y triple negativo; representando este último un 21% de los casos según un estudio llevado a cabo en población institucional. - La ixabepilona es un antineoplásico perteneciente al grupo de las epotilonas que se encargan de estabilizar los microtúbulos causando una muerte celular por apoptosis. Es un medicamento que ha sido evaluado en estudios de fase II obteniendo resultados favorables en pacientes con cáncer de mama avanzando y además se han realizado estudios de fase III que avalan su uso en pacientes con cáncer de mama avanzado que han progresado a terapias con antraciclinas y taxanos. METODOLOGÍA: Se decidió realizar un informe de ETS que permita mostrar la eficacia y seguridad de la ixabepilona con capecitabina comparada con capecitabina sola para el tratamiento oncológico de pacientes con cáncer de mama triple negativo resistentes a antraciclinas y taxanos. Se encontró que una GPC internacional (NCCN) avala el uso de ixabepilona en pacientes con cáncer de mama avanzado y el documento institucional también menciona estudios que avalan su utilidad en estos pacientes; sin embargo, la guía de ESMO no menciona su uso lo cual se debe a que EMA no aprobó su incorporación en Europa y que disponen de otras alternativas como eribulina. Además, se encontraron 04 ETS o informes relacionados en los cuales se ha reportado evidencia sobre el uso de ixabepilona en pacientes con cáncer de mama avanzado. DISCUSIÓN: La discusión con el panel se llevó a cabo durante dos sesiones en las cuales se expuso la PICO, la estrategia de búsqueda, las evidencias con respecto a la guías de práctica clínica, informes de evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias y documentos relacionados. Además, los análisis comparativos de eficacia y seguridad así como los análisis de costos de los diferentes medicamentos disponibles para el tratamiento de cáncer de mama avanzado triple negativo. En la primera sesión se comentó que ixabepilona es un tratamiento que se ha estado usando a nivel institucional en monoterapia para el tratamiento de pacientes con cáncer de mama triple negativo localmente avanzado o metastasico que hayan recibido terapia previa incluyendo una antraciclina, un taxano y/o capecitabina. Los casos se aprueban a través de junta médica y se realiza una vigilancia periódica. A la fecha 18 pacientes han recibido el tratamiento. Además, un integrante del panel manifestó que está de acuerdo con la propuesta brindada por el informe de Instituto de Cáncer de Argentina que especifica "No se sugiere el uso rutinario de Ixabepilona como tratamiento en pacientes con CMM RH positivos HER2 negativos, ECOG 0-1 y enfermedad evaluable salvo en pacientes seleccionadas: resistentes a antraciclinas/taxanos sin neuropatía residual significativa, con enfermedad visceral sintomática. (Condicional, moderada)". Se comentó que se tiene conocimiento de los pacientes que están recibiendo el tratamiento y que es un grupo que presentan bajo riesgo de presentar neutropenia o neuropatía periférica. No ha habido reportes adversos serios hasta el momento a nivel institucional con respecto al uso de este medicamento. Se consultó si es que se disponía de otras terapias que puedan ser comparadas con ixabepilona con respecto a eficacia y seguridad de los pacientes con cáncer de mama triple negativo que progresan a antraciclinas y taxanos. Es necesario conocer que estudios existen y poder concluir si es que ixabepilona sería la mejor intervención farmacológica disponible para estos casos específicos de paciente o existiría alguna otra que esté disponible a nivel nacional y que pueda usarse. Durante segunda reunión se mencionó que a nivel internacional se tiene la disponibilidad del medicamento eribulina que ha reportado mejores resultados con respecto a otros tratamientos en el cáncer de mama avanzado triple negativo a nivel nacional pero no se cuenta con disponibilidad de este medicamento a nivel nacional además que los costos son muy elevados por ello se mencionó que es una necesidad que se continúe con la disponibilidad de este medicamento. Además, en base a lo reportado a nivel institucional se mencionó que es necesario ser más específico en la indicación y los pacientes a los cuales se les va a prescribir el medicamento. Además, ppdría considerarse que Ixabepilona asociado a Capecitabina podría ser utilizado en población mejor seleccionada: ECOG 0 ­ 1, expuestos a antraciclinas y taxanos, que no hayan sido expuesto a capecitabina, donde se haya descartado metástasis cerebral previa al inicio del tratamiento y en pacientes con sospecha de mutación BRCA ofrecerles terapia con sales de platino. Con respecto a la evidencia en supervivencia global, supervivencia libre de progresión, tasa de respuesta objetiva de otras intervenciones farmacológicas se encuentran valores similares a los reportados por ixabepilona. Con respecto al tratamiento brindado a los 11 pacientes a nivel institucional no se ha podido establecer beneficios: tres de 11 pacientes han fallecido, no se ha documentado algún tipo de respuesta parcial. Por otro lado, se mencionó que en base a lo reportado es difícil proponer continuar con la adquisición del medicamento ya que no ha demostrado superioridad en supervivencia global y que no se cuenta con estudios de evaluaciones económicas o análisis de impacto presupuestario que avalen contar con el medicamento además que el costo adicional que implica la prescripción del medicamento es elevado. Se mencionó que al actualmente el SIS no viene cubriendo todos los medicamentos no PNUME, por lo que solicita se considere un tratamiento alterno a Ixabepilona que si se encuentre disponible en la lista PNUME. CONCLUSIONES: En el Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas (INEN) en base a la información del departamento de oncología médica se han proyectado de maneral anual un promedio de 18 a 35 casos de pacientes con cáncer de mama triple negativo resistentes a antraciclinas y taxanos. Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática y una búsqueda dirigida de la evidencia para evaluar la eficacia y seguridad del uso de ixabepilona con capecitabina comparado con capecitabina sola para el tratamiento médico oncológico de pacientes con cáncer de mama triple negativo resistente a antraciclinas y taxanos. Se incluyó 02 guías de práctica clínica internacionales y un documento técnico institucional, 05 evaluaciones de tecnologías sanitarias o informes relacionados y un estudio de análisis combinado de dos ensayos clínicos que analiza a ixabepilona en monodroga comparado con la combinación de ixabepilona con capecitabina. Adicionalmente, se han incluido 05 estudios de otras opciones terapéuticas disponibles para el tratamiento de cáncer de mama avanzado triple negativo. En las GPC; en una se menciona el uso de ixabepilona en el manejo de cáncer de mama avanzado, en otra GPC no se establece una recomendación pero si colocan otras opciones como capecitabina, gemcitabina, etc; y en el documento institucional se la menciona pero no se especifican recomendaciones dentro del grupo de cáncer de mama triple negativo resistente a antraciclinas y taxanos. n las 04 ETS. Se menciona que en los países donde está permitida su comercialización, su uso se permite para pacientes con características específicas siendo la ETS Argentina la que emite una recomendación débil en contra sobre su uso y reserva el uso de ixabepilona en pacientes con cáncer de mama avanzado con características específicas de manera excepcional. El estudio de Rugo que combina los datos reportados en 02 ensayos clínicos de fase III ha encontrado un aumento en la supervivencia libre de progresión en el grupo de ixabepilona más capecitabina y duplicación en la tasa de respuesta objetivo; sin embargo, no se encontró aumento en el desenlace crítico supervivencia global ni en calidad de vida, encontrándose también un aumento en la frecuencia de eventos adversos relacionados a toxicidad por la terapia combina, neutropenia y neuropatías periféricas. La calidad de evidencia global fue moderada. Con respecto a lo evidenciado por otros medicamentos en pacientes con cáncer de mama avanzado triple negativo resistentes a antraciclinas y/o taxanos no se ha encontrado alguno que logre impactar en supervivencia global, se reportan si otros desenlaces importantes con valores similares a los reportados por el medicamento ixabepilona. El medicamento está disponible a nivel nacional y ha sido aprobado tanto por FDA, y DIGEMID para su uso en pacientes con cáncer de mama metastásico. No está aprobado por EMA. Con respecto al costo, éste podría exceder en 30 mil nuevos soles comparado al resto de alternativas disponibles en la lista PNUME. Se estima que por cada paciente se requiere aproximadamente 8 UIT. Finalmente, el panel multidisciplinario debido a la evidencia mostrada y la experiencia institucional, no tiene como justificar la continuidad de la terapia brindando opinión en contra de la cobertura del medicamento Ixabepilona. Se elevará informe y acta a Comité Farmacoterapéutico sobre los acuerdos de reunión.

Cardiac magnetic resonance assessment of right ventricular remodeling after anthracycline therapy.

There are limited data on the effects of anthracyclines on right ventricular (RV) structure, function, and tissue characteristics. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of anthracyclines on the RV using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). This was a post-hoc analysis of a prospective study of 27 breast cancer (BC) patients (51.8 ± 8.9 years) using CMR prior, and up to 3-times after anthracyclines (240 mg/m2) to measure RV volumes and mass, RV extracellular volume (ECV) and cardiomyocyte mass (CM). Before anthracyclines, LVEF (69.4 ± 3.6%) and RVEF (55.6 ± 9%) were normal. The median follow-up after anthracyclines was 399 days (IQR 310-517). The RVEF reached its nadir (46.3 ± 6.8%) after 9-months (P < 0.001). RV mass-index and RV CM decreased to 13 ± 2.8 g/m2 and 8.13 ± 2 g/m2, respectively, at 16-months after anthracyclines. The RV ECV expanded from 0.26 ± 0.07 by 0.14 (53%) to 0.40 ± 0.1 (P < 0.001). The RV ECV expansion correlated with a decrease in RV mass-index (r = -0.46; P < 0.001) and the increase in CK-MB. An RV ESV index at baseline above its median predicted an increased risk of LV dysfunction post-anthracyclines. In BC patients treated with anthracyclines, RV atrophy, systolic dysfunction, and a parallel increase of diffuse interstitial fibrosis indicate a cardiotoxic response on a similar scale as previously seen in the systemic left ventricle.

Ultrahigh-field cardiovascular magnetic resonance T1 and T2 mapping for the assessment of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in rat models: validation against histopathologic changes.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity is a well-recognized adverse effect of chemotherapy. Quantitative T1-mapping cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is useful for detecting subclinical myocardial changes in anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. The aim of the present study was to histopathologically validate the T1 and T2 mapping parameters for the evaluation of diffuse myocardial changes in rat models of cardiotoxicity. METHODS: Rat models of cardiotoxicity were generated by injecting rats with doxorubicin (1 mg/kg, twice a week). CMR was performed with a 9.4 T ultrahigh-field scanner using cine, pre-T1, post-T1 and T2 mapping sequences to evaluate the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), native T1, T2, and extracellular volume fraction (ECV). Histopathological examinations were performed and the association of histopathological changes with CMR parameters was assessed. RESULTS: Five control rats and 36 doxorubicin-treated rats were included and classified into treatment periods. In the doxorubicin-treated rats, the LVEF significantly decreased after 12 weeks of treatment (control vs. 12-week treated: 73 ± 4% vs. 59 ± 9%, P = 0.01).  Increased native T1 and ECV were observed after 6 weeks of treatment (control vs. 6-week treated: 1148 ± 58 ms, 14.3 ± 1% vs. 1320 ± 56 ms, 20.3 ± 3%; P = 0.005, < 0.05, respectively). T2 values also increased by six weeks of treatment (control vs. 6-week treated: 16.3 ± 2 ms vs. 10.3 ± 1 ms, P < 0.05). The main histopathological features were myocardial injury, interstitial fibrosis, inflammation, and edema. The mean vacuolar change (%), fibrosis (%), and inflammation score were significantly higher in 6-week treated rats than in the controls (P = 0.03, 0.03, 0.02, respectively). In the univariable analysis, vacuolar change showed the highest correlation with native T1 value (R = 0.60, P < 0.001), and fibrosis showed the highest correlation with ECV value (R = 0.78, P < 0.001). In the multiple linear regression analysis model, vacuolar change was a significant factor for change in native T1 (P = 0.01), and vacuolar change and fibrosis were significant factors for change in ECV (P = 0.006, P < 0.001, respectively) by adding other histopathological parameters (i.e., inflammation and edema scores) CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative T1 and T2 mapping CMR is a useful non-invasive tool reflecting subclinical histopathological changes in anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity.