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



Status:Active, not recruiting
Conditions:Breast Cancer, Cancer
Therapuetic Areas:Oncology
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - Any
Updated:12/29/2018
Start Date:June 2015
End Date:February 2019

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Patients with breast cancer receive low 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 wish to
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 radiotherapy (RT) field design for patients sensitive to RT
effects. Finally, this information can be incorporated into better designs of treatment plans
for future patients.

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.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients who will receive radiotherapy as treatment for left-sided breast cancer

- Patients must understand and be willing to sign an informed consent form approved for
this purpose by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the University of Michigan
Medical Center indicating that they are aware of the investigational aspects of the
treatment and the potential risks.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients with a contraindication to contrast-enhanced MRI
We found this trial at
1
site
500 S State St
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
(734) 764-1817
Phone: 734-936-4300
University of Michigan The University of Michigan was founded in 1817 as one of the...
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Ann Arbor, MI
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