scholarly journals Strategies to Prevent Anthracycline-Related Congestive Heart Failure in Survivors of Childhood Cancer

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saro H. Armenian ◽  
Sarah K. Gelehrter ◽  
Eric J. Chow

Cardiovascular complications are a leading cause of therapy-related morbidity and mortality in long-term survivors of childhood malignancy. In fact, childhood cancer survivors are at a 15-fold risk of developing CHF compared to age-matched controls. There is a strong dose-dependent association between anthracycline exposure and risk of CHF, and the incidence increases with longer followup. Outcome following diagnosis of CHF is generally poor, with overall survival less than 50% at 5 years. The growing number of childhood cancer survivors makes it imperative that strategies be developed to prevent symptomatic heart disease in this vulnerable population. We present here an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies for childhood cancer survivors at high risk for CHF, drawing on lessons learned from prevention studies in nononcology populations as well as from the more limited experience in cancer survivors.

2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (Suppl. 3) ◽  
pp. 10-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saro H. Armenian

While the increased rates of survival in childhood cancers have increased progressively in recent decades, many childhood cancer survivors will have at least one chronic health condition within 40 years of age. In this regard, cardiovascular complications have emerged as a leading cause of long-term morbidity and mortality in long-term survivors of childhood cancer, likely due to exposure to anthracycline chemotherapy, and outcomes in patients with anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy remain poor. Some progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms at the basis of anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy, which appear to involve generation of reactive oxygen species, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, followed by myocyte apoptosis and maladaptive left ventricular remodeling. Even if several guidelines currently exist for monitoring cancer patients treated with cardiotoxic therapies who are at high risk for heart failure, much work remains to be done in finding reliable markers for screening for cardiac dysfunction. Studies from our group have identified alterations in L-carnitine in cancer survivors. While additional investigations are needed, preliminary studies suggest a role for carnitine in primary prevention (during treatment) and secondary prevention (to improve function after treatment).


Author(s):  
Maria Schaffer ◽  
Jordana McLoone ◽  
Claire Wakefield ◽  
Mary-Ellen Brierley ◽  
Afaf Girgis ◽  
...  

Purpose: The long-term management of childhood cancer survivors is complex. Electronic health (eHealth) technology has the potential to significantly improve the management of late effects for childhood cancer survivors and assist their General Practitioners (GP) to coordinate their care. We assessed the acceptability of and perceived benefits and barriers to eHealth use amongst survivors, parents, and GPs. Methods: We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with survivors of childhood cancer, parents of childhood cancer survivors and their nominated GP. We described a hypothetical eHealth tool and asked participants how likely they would use the tool to manage their survivorship care and their perceived benefits and concerns for use of the tool. We used content analysis to synthesise the data using QSR NVivo12. Results: We interviewed 31 survivors (mean age: 27.0), 29 parents (survivors’ mean age: 12.6) and 51 GPs (mean years practising: 28.2). Eighty-five percent of survivors and parents (n=51), and 75% of GPs (n=38) indicated that they would be willing to use an eHealth tool. Survivors and parents reported that an eHealth tool would increase their confidence in their ability, and their GP’s ability, to manage their survivorship care. GPs agreed that an eHealth tool would provide easier access to survivors’ medical information and increase their capacity to provide support during survivorship. 7% of GPs (n= 4) and 43% of survivors (n=26) reported being hesitant to use eHealth tools due to privacy/security concerns. Conclusion: Overall, eHealth tools were reported to be acceptable to childhood cancer survivors, their parents, and their GPs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (24) ◽  
pp. 2120-2130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaya S. Moskowitz ◽  
Joanne F. Chou ◽  
Joseph P. Neglia ◽  
Ann H. Partridge ◽  
Rebecca M. Howell ◽  
...  

PURPOSE Female survivors of childhood cancer have a high risk of subsequent breast cancer. We describe the ensuing risk for mortality and additional breast cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS Female participants in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, a cohort of 5-year survivors of cancer diagnosed between 1970 and 1986 before age 21 years, and subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer (n = 274; median age at breast cancer diagnosis, 38 years; range, 20 to 58 years) were matched to a control group (n = 1,095) with de novo breast cancer. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs were estimated from cause-specific proportional hazards models. RESULTS Ninety-two childhood cancer survivors died, 49 as a result of breast cancer. Overall survival after breast cancer was 73% by 10 years. Subsequent risk of death as a result of any cause was higher among childhood cancer survivors than among controls (HR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.7 to 3.0) and remained elevated after adjusting for breast cancer treatment (HR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.7 to 3.2). Although breast cancer–specific mortality was modestly elevated among childhood cancer survivors (HR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.9 to 2.0), survivors were five times more likely to die as a result of other health-related causes, including other subsequent malignant neoplasms and cardiovascular or pulmonary disease (HR, 5.5; 95% CI, 3.4 to 9.0). The cumulative incidence of a second asynchronous breast cancer also was elevated significantly compared with controls ( P < .001). CONCLUSION Mortality after breast cancer was higher in childhood cancer survivors than in women with de novo breast cancer. This increased mortality reflects the burden of comorbidity and highlights the need for risk-reducing interventions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Novetsky Friedman ◽  
Emily S. Tonorezos ◽  
Paul Cohen

Endocrine complications, including diabetes and metabolic syndrome, are highly prevalent in childhood cancer survivors. These metabolic derangements may contribute to survivors’ risk of excess cardiovascular morbidity and premature mortality. This review summarizes existing knowledge on risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome among childhood cancer survivors, focusing specifically on known risk factors, potential mechanisms, and screening recommendations. Early diagnosis via standardized risk-based screening can improve long-term outcomes in this population. Additional work is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these metabolic complications and to inform the design of risk-reducing interventions and optimize long-term cardiometabolic health among survivors of childhood cancer.


2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (22) ◽  
pp. 3056-3064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory T. Armstrong ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
Wendy Leisenring ◽  
Yutaka Yasui ◽  
Sue Hammond ◽  
...  

Purpose Childhood cancer survivors experience an increased incidence of subsequent neoplasms (SNs). Those surviving the first SN (SN1) remain at risk to develop multiple SNs. Because SNs are a common cause of late morbidity and mortality, characterization of rates of multiple SNs is needed. Patients and Methods In a total of 14,358 5-year survivors of childhood cancer diagnosed between 1970 and 1986, analyses were carried out among 1,382 survivors with an SN1. Cumulative incidence of second subsequent neoplasm (SN2), either malignant or benign, was calculated. Results A total of 1,382 survivors (9.6%) developed SN1, of whom 386 (27.9%) developed SN2. Of those with SN2, 153 (39.6%) developed more than two SNs. Cumulative incidence of SN2 was 46.9% (95% CI, 41.6% to 52.2%) at 20 years after SN1. The cumulative incidence of SN2 among radiation-exposed survivors was 41.3% (95% CI, 37.2% to 45.4%) at 15 years compared with 25.7% (95% CI, 16.5% to 34.9%) for those not treated with radiation. Radiation-exposed survivors who developed an SN1 of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) had a cumulative incidence of subsequent malignant neoplasm (SMN; ie, malignancies excluding NMSC) of 20.3% (95% CI, 13.0% to 27.6%) at 15 years compared with only 10.7% (95% CI, 7.2% to 14.2%) for those who were exposed to radiation and whose SN1 was an invasive SMN (excluding NMSC). Conclusion Multiple SNs are common among aging survivors of childhood cancer. SN1 of NMSC identifies a population at high risk for invasive SMN. Survivors not exposed to radiation who develop multiple SNs represent a population of interest for studying genetic susceptibility to neoplasia.


2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 2156759X1001400
Author(s):  
Stephanie San Miguel Bauman

School counselors increasingly will encounter childhood cancer survivors. This article explains why the cure for cancer consists of more than the eradication of the disease and includes the amelioration of academic, career, personal, and social concerns. Drawing on the research literature, the article discusses different stages of cancer survivorship and possible ways that school counselors may advance a cure for cancer as they meet the needs and encourage the development of every student survivor.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivian I. Franco ◽  
Jacqueline M. Henkel ◽  
Tracie L. Miller ◽  
Steven E. Lipshultz

Anthracyclines are commonly used to treat childhood leukemias and lymphomas, as well as other malignancies, leading to a growing population of long-term childhood cancer survivors. However, their use is limited by cardiotoxicity, increasing survivors' vulnerability to treatment-related complications that can markedly affect their quality of life. Survivors are more likely to suffer from heart failure, coronary artery disease, and cerebrovascular accidents compared to the general population. The specific mechanisms of anthracycline cardiotoxicity are complex and remain unclear. Hence, determining the factors that may increase susceptibility to cardiotoxicity is of great importance, as is monitoring patients during and after treatment. Additionally, treatment and prevention options, such as limiting cumulative dosage, liposomal anthracyclines, and dexrazoxane, continue to be explored. Here, we review the cardiovascular complications associated with the use of anthracyclines in treating malignancies in children and discuss methods for preventing, screening, and treating such complications in childhood cancer survivors.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Pluimakers ◽  
Marta Fiocco ◽  
Jenneke van Atteveld ◽  
Monique Hobbelink ◽  
Dorine Bresters ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Potential late effects of treatment for childhood cancer include adiposity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension. These risk factors cluster together as metabolic syndrome (MetS) and increase the risk for development of diabetes mellitus and cardio- and cerebrovascular disease. Knowledge on risk factors, timely diagnosis and preventive strategies is of importance to prevent cardio- and cerebrovascular complications and improve quality of life. Currently, no studies in national cohorts on prevalence and determinants of MetS in childhood cancer survivors including biomarkers and genetic predisposition are available. OBJECTIVE The objectives of the Dutch LATER METS study are to assess 1) the prevalence and risk factors of MetS and its separate components, and 2) the potential value of additional biomarkers, in the national cohort of adult long-term survivors of childhood cancer. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study, based on recruitment of all survivors treated in the Netherlands between 1963 and 2002. MetS will be classified according to the definitions of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP-ATP III) as well as the Joint Interim Statement (JIS), and compared to reference data. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were performed to assess body composition in more detail. The effect of patient characteristics, previous treatment, and genetic variation on the risk of MetS will be assessed. The diagnostic and predictive value of novel biomarkers will be tested. RESULTS Patient accrual started in 2016 and lasted until April 2020. A total of 2380 survivors has participated, in seven pediatric oncology hospitals. From July 2020, biomarker testing, SNP analysis and data analysis will be performed. CONCLUSIONS The Dutch LATER METS study will provide knowledge on clinical and genetic determinants of MetS, and the diagnostic value of biomarkers, in childhood cancer survivors. The results of this study will be used to optimize surveillance guidelines for MetS in survivors, based on enhanced risk stratification and screening strategies. This will improve diagnosis of MetS, and prevent complications. CLINICALTRIAL Registered at toetsingonline.nl, NL32117.018.10


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document