Biomarkers and Cardiac MRI as Early Indicators of Cardiac Exposure Following Breast Radiotherapy

Biomarkers and Cardiac MRI as Early Indicators of Cardiac Exposure

Radiotherapy plays an integral role in breast cancer therapy. Multiple randomized studies have demonstrated decreased local-regional recurrence rates and decreased breast-cancer mortality. However, balanced with this survival benefit is the potential toxicity of the treatment itself. In particular, cardiac effects of radiotherapy have been a concern and an area of research for the past 20 years. From long-term follow up of patients with lymphoma, it is known that radiotherapy can lead to increased risk of myocardial infarction, valvular dysfunction, systolic and diastolic function abnormalities, and heart failure among cancer-survivors. Patients with breast cancer receive lower doses to smaller volumes of the heart, but they also have an excellent long-term survival, so it is crucial to study the effects of low dose radiotherapy. Indeed, a recent study suggests that these effects can be seen within the first 5 years after treatment, and that there is no dose threshold. This study aims to develop imaging and blood biomarkers of cardiac exposure, as a first step to identifying patients at increased risk for cardiac effects, so they can be targeted for close monitoring and early intervention, potentially with statins or ACE inhibitors. Additionally, by characterizing a time-course and radiation dose-volume relationship, potentially real-time modifications can be made to RT field design for patients sensitive to RT effects. Finally, this information can be incorporated into better designs of treatment plans for future patients.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Breast Cancer
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Research Cardiac MRI; Procedure: Biomarkers

Detailed Description

Radiotherapy plays an integral role in breast cancer therapy. Multiple randomized studies have demonstrated decreased local-regional recurrence rates and decreased breast-cancer mortality. However, balanced with this survival benefit is the potential toxicity of the treatment itself. In particular, cardiac effects of radiotherapy have been a concern and an area of research for the past 20 years. From long-term follow up of patients with lymphoma, it is known that radiotherapy can lead to increased risk of myocardial infarction, valvular dysfunction, systolic and diastolic function abnormalities, and heart failure among cancer-survivors. Patients with breast cancer receive lower doses to smaller volumes of the heart, but they also have an excellent long-term survival, so it is crucial to study the effects of low dose radiotherapy. Indeed, a recent study suggests that these effects can be seen within the first 5 years after treatment, and that there is no dose threshold. The investigators hypothesize that they can develop imaging and blood biomarkers of cardiac exposure, as a first step to identifying patients at increased risk for cardiac effects. These patients can then be targeted for close monitoring and early intervention, potentially with statins or ACE inhibitors. Additionally, by characterizing a time-course and radiation dose-volume relationship, potentially real-time modifications can be made to RT field design for patients sensitive to RT effects. Finally, this information can be incorporated into better designs of treatment plans for future patients.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 25

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Michigan
    • Detroit, Michigan, United States, 48202
      • Henry Ford Health System

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This is a pilot study of patients receiving radiotherapy for left-sided breast cancer.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who will receive RT for left-sided breast cancer and can have a contrast-enhanced MRI are eligible.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who have a contraindication to contrast-enhanced MRI are not eligible.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number of patients in which cardiac MRI indicated subclinical cardiac abnormalities after radiotherapy that correlated with cardiac events	The study aims to characterize longitudinal changes in imaging characteristics of cardiac damage. Cardiac MRI endpoints will include myocardial edema, microvascular dysfunction, myocardial fibrosis, and subclinical impairment of systolic and diastolic function.	One year

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number patients in which blood and serum biomarkers were identified that correlated with cardiac damage due to radiation	The study aims to characterize longitudinal changes in potential early biomarkers of cardiac damage. Biomarker endpoints derived from blood or its components include measuring levels of galectin-3, NT-Pro brain natriuretic peptide, troponin, C-reactive protein, myeloperoxidase, and growth differentiation factor 15.	One year
Number of unique biomarkers identified that were associated with radiation related cardiac injury	Biomarker endpoints derived from blood or its components include measuring levels of galectin-3, NT-Pro brain natriuretic peptide, troponin, C-reactive protein, myeloperoxidase, and growth differentiation factor 15. Additional biomarkers may be included as the research in those fields progresses during the conduct of this clinical trial.	One year

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Henry Ford Health System
• Collaborators: University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Morris ED, Ghanem AI, Pantelic MV, Walker EM, Han X, Glide-Hurst CK. Cardiac Substructure Segmentation and Dosimetry Using a Novel Hybrid Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Cardiac Atlas. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2019 Mar 15;103(4):985-993. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2018.11.025. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 1, 2015
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 1, 2017
• Study Completion (Actual): December 1, 2018

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 23, 2015
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 9, 2015
• First Posted (Estimate): July 14, 2015

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 3, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 17, 2022
• Last Verified: February 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Breast Cancer; Magnetic resonance imaging; Cardiac function
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Skin Diseases; Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Breast Diseases; Breast Neoplasms
• Other Study ID Numbers: 9481