Serum Biomarkers for the Detection of Cardiac Dysfunction in Childhood Cancers Receiving Anthracycline-Based Treatment
Giorgio Attina’, Silvia Triarico, Alberto Romano, Palma Maurizi, Stefano Mastrangelo and Antonio RuggieroPediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A.Gemelli IRCCS, Universita’ Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
Corresponding Author E-mail: antonio.ruggiero@unicatt.it
Abstract: Anthracyclines are routinely used in cancer chemotherapy in many childhood cancers. A serious adverse effect of doxorubicin chemotherapy is cardiotoxicity which may lead to congestive heart failure for long-term survivors years after treatment. Currently, echocardiography is used to control the heart function during anthracyclines therapy. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and NT-proBNP as well as cardiac troponins have been proposed as clinical markers for subclinical anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. The BNP and pro-BNP can be easily measured in plasma and initial data indicate that the NT-proBNP could be sensitive predictor for the development of congestive heart failure.
Keywords: Anthracyclines; Children; pro-BNP; Troponin Back to TOC