Clinical Research Directory

PAtient Similarity for Decision-Making in Prevention of Cardiovascular Toxicity (PACT): A Feasibility Study

This is a single-center, double-arm, open-label, randomized feasibility study that will determine whether a novel clinical decision aid accessed via the electronic health record will be acceptable to both cancer survivors and their cardiologists, will favorably impact appropriate medication use and cardiac imaging surveillance, and will improve clinician and patient decision-making, perception, and behavior towards cardioprotective medication usage and cardiovascular disease imaging utilization.

Monitoring for CardioToxicity Using WeArable deVices While Undergoing cancEr Treatments (MCT-WAVE)

This pilot study will evaluate the validity and feasibility of ambulatory cardiac monitoring to identify markers of cardiotoxicity in adults undergoing cancer treatment. Participants with breast cancer, hematologic malignancy, or multiple myeloma will receive usual care plus two wearable patch monitors: mobile cardiac telemetry using the BodyGuardian Mini Plus ambulatory ECG monitor and an investigational wearable cardiac monitor that records heart sounds. The study will assess arrhythmias detected by mobile cardiac telemetry and explore whether heart sounds are associated with echocardiographic findings and cardiac biomarkers. Participants will wear the devices during cancer treatment, with monitoring periods at baseline and possible repeat monitoring at 6-month and 12-month study visits.

S1501 Dual Observational and Randomized Cohort Study of Patients With Metastatic HER-2+ Breast Cancer at Risk of Cardiac Toxicity

This trial has two cohorts of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2-positive breast cancer that has spread to other places in the body. All patients must be receiving trastuzumab-based treatment. Both cohorts are being observed for cardiac toxicity. The largest cohort (currently open to accrual) is observational, and contains patients who are taking a beta blocker, ACE inhibitor, or ARB as well as their trastuzumab-based treatment. The goal is to understand how common cardiac problems are in this group of patients at high risk. The smaller cohort (currently closed to accrual) is randomized. Patients in this second cohort are randomized to either carvedilol or no treatment, with the goal of seeing whether carvedilol (used to treat heart failure and high blood pressure) may prevent the heart from side effects of chemotherapy.

Imaging Versus Cardiac Biomarker Monitored HER2 Directed Therapy in Patients With Breast Cancer

Due to a risk of heart failure during HER2 directed therapy in breast cancer, treatment is monitored with imaging of myocardial function, which is resource demanding for both patients and the health care system. The purpose of this study is to evaluate, if biomarkers can replace imaging based examinations of myocardial function during HER2 directed therapy.

Clinical and Diagnostic Significance of Endothelial Dysfunction and Myocardial Contractility in Patients With AML

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal neoplastic disease of the hematopoietic tissue associated with a mutation in the precursor cell of hematopoiesis, which results in a differentiation block and uncontrolled proliferation of immature myeloid cells. Anthracycline antibiotics have been an integral part of the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia since the 1970s. However, the clinical usefulness of anthracyclines is limited primarily by the high incidence of cardiotoxicity. According to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines for cardio-oncology, cardiovascular toxicity is defined as any impairment of cardiac function associated with anticancer treatment, as the term encompasses both a wide range of possible clinical manifestations and an etiological relationship with various treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and treatment with targeted drugs. Cardiovascular toxicity can be acute, subacute or delayed, manifesting many years after chemotherapy or radiation therapy, involving a number of cardiac structures, which can lead to the development of heart failure, coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease, arrhythmias, including cardiac conduction disorders and diseases of the pericardium. Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is the negative effect of anthracyclines on normal cardiac activity due to their toxic effects on the heart muscle and the cardiac conduction system. Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity manifests as asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction in 57% of treated patients and restrictive or dilated cardiomyopathy leading to congestive heart failure (CHF) in 16% to 20% of patients. Anthracycline-induced congestive heart failure is often resistant to therapy and has a mortality rate of up to 79%. Thus, there is a need for early detection of cardiovascular dysfunction associated with chemotherapy treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in order to timely prescribe drug therapy. Purpose of the study To optimize the early detection of endothelial dysfunction and left ventricular myocardial contractility in patients with acute myeloid leukemia during chemotherapy treatment based on a comprehensive assessment of instrumental and laboratory research parameters. Expected results Based on a comprehensive analysis using laser Doppler flowmetry, stress echocardiography with the determination of global longitudinal strain of the myocardium, biochemical markers of endothelial damage and cardiac biomarkers, a correlation between violations of the contractility of the left ventricular myocardium and violations of the vasoregulatory function of the vascular endothelium will be revealed, which will allow developing an algorithm for early detection of cardiomyopathy and vascular complications in patients with acute myeloid leukemia during chemotherapy treatment.

Cardioprotection Effect of Linagliptin

1\. Background and Rationale Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies affecting women worldwide and represents a major health burden in Egypt. Anthracyclines, particularly doxorubicin, remain an important component of several breast cancer chemotherapy regimens. However, their clinical utility is limited by the potential development of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. Doxorubicin-induced cardiac injury is multifactorial and involves oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, disturbances in myocardial energy metabolism, apoptosis, inflammation, and progressive myocardial structural damage. Cardiac injury may initially occur without symptoms or an obvious reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Consequently, identification of early myocardial injury is important because intervention before clinically apparent heart failure may potentially reduce progression to overt cardiac dysfunction.

Cardiac Biomarkers in Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (PRIME-ICI)

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely used cancer treatments. Blood tests such as cardiac troponin and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) can help clinicians investigate possible heart injury, but these markers may also be raised for other reasons such as infection, kidney dysfunction, arrhythmia, pulmonary embolism or fluid overload. PRIME-ICI is a prospective observational study of adults starting ICI therapy at The James Cook University Hospital. The study will mainly use leftover blood from routine clinical samples and routine electronic health-record data. Samples will be batch tested for NT-proBNP, high-sensitivity troponin I and T, and selected exploratory biomarkers. The study will determine how often cardiac biomarkers are elevated, describe the clinical circumstances in which elevations occur, and classify biomarker-positive episodes according to their most likely clinical phenotype. Participation does not alter cancer treatment, and research biomarker results are not used for real-time clinical decisions.

Novel On-body Evaluation of Cardiac Health for Oncology

The goal of this study is to develop a wearable sensor system that can estimate left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), which is a measurement of the heart's function.

Effects of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors on Coronary Microvasculature

This is an observational study that includes patients with breast cancer or non-small cell lung cancer who will be treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. The investigators will use echocardiograms, blood draws, and PET stress tests to understand how ICI therapy affects the heart and circulatory system.

Study of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Women Who Have HER2-Positive Breast Cancer With Mild Cardiotoxicity

The purpose of this study is to find out how much oxygen is used during a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) in women who have mild cardiotoxicity after standard treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer, and to see whether the results of this test can be used to predict how well participants' heart and lungs will work if they continue to receive this kind of treatment.

Cardiotoxicity in Locally Advanced Lung Cancer Patients Treated With Chemoradiation Therapy

This observational cohort will evaluate the cardiovascular effects of chemoradiation used to treat locally advanced, non-small cell lung cancer. Patients will be enrolled prior to the start of therapy and followed during and for at least 2 years after therapy with echocardiograms, nuclear stress tests, blood sampling, and quality of life surveys.

Hypertension and Arrhythmias in CLL Patients Treated With BTK Inhibitors

Acalabrutinib and Zanabrutinib are highly effective drugs used to treat Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, but they are associated with high blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms. SENTINEL is an observational study that will use wearable technology to monitor heart rhythm and blood pressures at home to better understand how frequently patients are experiencing high blood pressure and/or abnormal heart rhythms.

Safety of Withdrawal of Pharmacological Treatment for Recovered HER2 Targeted Therapy Related Cardiac Dysfunction

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the United Kingdom (UK), but improvements in treatment mean 3 in 4 people survive for more than 10 years. Many people receive treatments called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) targeted therapies for their breast cancer, however these can affect heart function. This 'cardiotoxicity' is generally temporary and mild, but patients receive drugs to help their heart recover. Currently it is not known how long patients should receive these treatments. Patients with other types of heart failure are treated lifelong, but this may not be necessary here as the damaging cancer drugs have stopped. Taking drugs for many years can have an impact on people's quality of life, particularly for young patients. It is therefore important to understand the best treatment length. The investigators will study people whose heart function has recovered after HER2 therapy heart problems and are not at high risk for heart disease. The investigators will carefully stop their heart drugs whilst monitoring them closely with special heart scans and blood tests to detect problems early. The investigators will also study how patients are currently treated using national data. The results of this study will help doctors better guide breast cancer survivors about treatment of heart damage from HER2 cancer therapies.

Cardiovascular Complications in Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) represents a major therapeutic strategy for malignant hematologic diseases, with the number of procedures steadily increasing in France each year. Conditioning and maintenance regimens carry a risk of both short- and long-term cardiotoxicity, leading to serious cardiovascular events including acute coronary syndrome (ACS), cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmias, pulmonary hypertension, and pericardial effusion. The pathophysiology of cardiotoxicity in HSCT patients remains poorly understood. It is therefore crucial to investigate underlying mechanisms and identify predictive factors of cardiotoxicity in order to provide appropriate cardiological follow-up and management. Current European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend routine monitoring of HSCT patients with echocardiography and cardiac biomarkers (NT-proBNP, troponin), although these recommendations are based on small-scale studies. The cardiodepressor factor DPP3 has shown promising results in cardio-oncology, with a causal role in anthracycline-induced cardiac dysfunction. Its role in HSCT-related cardiotoxicity requires further evaluation. This multicenter study of HSCT recipients will be a valuable resource, enabling a better understanding of the pathophysiology of cardiotoxicity and prognosis. It will highlight imaging (echocardiography, calcium score, supra-aortic Doppler), electrocardiographic, and biological markers (including DPP3) associated with prognosis.

Cardiac Side Effects of Systemic Therapy in Early-Stage Breast Cancer

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate cardiac side effects in women with early-stage breast cancer who receive systemic chemotherapy and/or anti-HER2 therapy as part of their standard cancer care. The main questions it aims to answer are: Can changes in Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) on echocardiography detect early cardiac dysfunction before a drop in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) becomes apparent? Are changes in circulating microRNA levels in the blood associated with early cardiac dysfunction during cancer treatment? Does cardiac dysfunction occur more frequently with anthracycline-containing chemotherapy compared to anthracycline-free regimens? Participants already receiving standard chemotherapy and/or anti-HER2 therapy as part of their routine cancer care will undergo echocardiography (LVEF and GLS), provide blood samples for microRNA analysis, and complete quality of life questionnaires at four time points: before treatment (baseline), and at 3, 6, and 12 months after starting treatment.

Prospective Study on Radiation Induced Cardiotoxicity Assessed By PET-CT for Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Prospective clinical study designed to evaluate damage to the heart after receiving standard of care chemotherapy and radiation therapy for locally advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).

In-Bedroom Renewed Air as Anti-inflammatory Adjuvant Therapy in Cancer Survivors

The BREATHS trial aims to investigate whether overnight in-bedroom air filtration reduces inflammation and cardiac biomarkers in adult survivors of cancer who are at high risk for cardiovascular complications. The study consists of individualized experiments (N-of-1 trials) conducted in the home settings of adults residing in densely populated urban areas with the most severe air quality levels in Valencia, Spain, where fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide levels exceed the limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and EU Directive. Participants will be exposed to 3 treatment sets (blinded phase), each consisting of a 14-day period of filtered air using a portable air filtration unit ("true-HyperHepa) and a 14-day period of unfiltered air (using the same portable unit with "sham filters"). The intervention will be administered nightly for a minimum of 7 consecutive hours and will last between 4 and 12 weeks for each participant, contingent upon the demonstration of clinical benefit, defined by a reduction in the levels of the blood biomarker C-reactive protein. An unblinded phase will be implemented for participants who do not experience a clinically meaningful change in CRP. During this phase, they will undergo a 14-day period without treatment, followed by 14-day period of both nightly and daily filtered air therapy. The primary endpoint of this study is defined as the change in blood concentrations of CRP. The secondary endpoints include the changes in levels of three other noninvasive blood biomarkers associated with inflammation and cardiovascular health, and blood pressure. Both indoor and outdoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure concentrations will be continuously monitored in the study.

The CARDIOPROTECT Trial

This trial is to evaluate if dexrazoxane is safer and more effective than liposomal doxorubicin in preventing heart failure events in participants with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) undergoing either standard of care R-CHOP or pola-R-CHP treatment regiments. The names of the study drugs involved in this study are: * Dexrazoxane (a type of Topoisomerase II Inhibitor) * Liposomal Doxorubicin (a type of Topoisomerase II Inhibitor) * Standard of care R-CHOP treatment regimen (Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, rituximab) * Standard of care pola-R-CHP treatment regimen: Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, polatuzumab vedotin-piiq, prednisone, rituximab

The STOP-MED CTRCD Trial

Cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) is when the heart's ability to pump oxygenated blood to the body is compromised. It is a side effect of cancer therapy which can occur as commonly as in 1 in 5 patients. When this occurs, heart failure medications are started to protect the heart from progressing to heart failure. With early detection and treatment, heart function recovers to normal in \>80% of patients. Unfortunately, heart failure medications are associated with an undesirable long-term pill burden, financial costs, and side-effects (e.g., dizziness and fatigue). As a result, cancer survivors frequently ask if they can safely stop their heart failure medications once their heart function has returned to normal. Currently there is no scientific evidence in this area of Cardio-Oncology. To address this knowledge gap, the investigators have designed a randomized control trial to assess the safety of stopping heart failure medication in patients with CTRCD and recovered heart function. The investigators will enrol patients who have completed their cancer therapy and are on heart medications for their CTRCD, which has now normalized. The investigators will randomize patients with no other reasons to continue heart failure medications (e.g., kidney disease) to continuing or stopping their heart medications safely. All patients will undergo a cardiac MRI at baseline, 1 and 5 years with safety assessments at 6-8 weeks, 6 months and 3 and 5 years. The investigators will determine if stopping medications is non-inferior to continuing medications by counting the numbers of patients who develop heart dysfunction by 1 year in each group.

ANTthracycline-induced Inflammation and OXidative Stress: 10-year Follow-up

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the long-term effects of anthracycline chemotherapy on inflammation, oxidative stress, and heart function in adult women with breast cancer. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Do inflammatory cytokine levels change after anthracycline chemotherapy and remain altered many years after treatment? 2. Are long-term markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity associated with changes in heart structure or function after anthracycline exposure? This study does not include a comparison group. All participants were previously treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy as part of their standard cancer care. Participants will: 1. Provide blood samples for the measurement of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress-related biomarkers 2. Undergo a clinical cardiovascular evaluation 3. Receive a transthoracic echocardiogram to assess heart function, including measures of systolic and diastolic function and myocardial deformation 4. Participate in a long-term follow-up assessment approximately 10 years after their initial cancer treatment

Development of a Pharmacogenomic Panel for Early Detection of Chemotherapy- and Immunotherapy-Induced Cardiotoxicity.

To evaluate the use of a pharmacogenetic and pharmacoepigenetic panel for predicting chemotherapy- and immunotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in cancer patients.

Empagliflozin in the Prevention of Cardiotoxicity in Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy Based on Anthracyclines

EMPACT (EMPAgliflozin in prevention of chemotherapy-related CardioToxicity) study is a randomized, multi-center, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial to evaluate efficacy of empagliflozin in prevention of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in patients receiving high cumulative doses of anthracyclines. Diagnosed with cancer, 220 patients without history of heart failure and LV ejection fraction (EF) ≥ 50%, scheduled for high dose anthracyclines (doxorubicin ≥240 mg/m2 or epirubicin ≥540 mg/m2), will be included in the study. They will be randomized to a 10 mg of empagliflozin once daily or to matching placebo in a 1:1 ratio. The primary objective of the EMPACT study is to assess whether prophylactic SGLT-2 inhibitors may prevent a reduction in LVEF after high doses anthracyclines, as evaluated by serial echocardiography on each visit and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) performed at randomization and on its completion. The secondary composite endpoint includes: all-cause death, cardiovascular (CV) death, myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. Additional secondary outcome measures include structural myocardial alterations assessed by CMR, decrease in GLS (global longitudinal strain) in echocardiography and changes in cardiac biomarkers. The study will be carried out in accordance with GCP and monitoring will be outsourced to a subcontractor - CRO. The examination will be insured and will begin as soon as the required approvals are obtained.

Dapagliflozin to Prevent Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity

Anthracyclines, such as doxorubicin, are effective anticancer agents but may cause dose-dependent cardiac injury, including early changes in left ventricular function and cardiac biomarkers. Dapagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor with established cardiovascular benefits in heart failure and potential cardioprotective effects beyond glucose lowering, including modulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, myocardial energetics and fibrotic remodeling. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial evaluated whether dapagliflozin attenuates early anthracycline-associated cardiac functional and biomarker changes in adults receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy. A total of 94 participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive dapagliflozin 10 mg orally once daily plus standard anthracycline-based chemotherapy or matching placebo plus standard anthracycline-based chemotherapy for 4 months. Ninety participants completed the 4-month follow-up and were included in complete-case analyses. The primary echocardiographic outcome was change in left ventricular function from baseline to 4 months. Left ventricular systolic function was assessed using left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as the principal systolic measure. Transmitral E/A ratio was analyzed as an exploratory filling index because it was consistently available across participants. Tissue Doppler indices and comprehensive diastolic dysfunction grading were not consistently available and were therefore not used for formal diastolic grading in the final analysis. Secondary outcomes included cardiac troponin I, NT-proBNP, galectin-3, CA 15-3, renal and hepatic function parameters, and adverse events. Echocardiography and laboratory biomarkers were assessed at baseline and 4 months, while adverse events were monitored continuously throughout the study period.

Pilot Study of an NTproBNP Guided Strategy of Cardioprotection

Investigators will evaluate the safety and feasibility of a biomarker-guided cardioprotection strategy using NTproBNP, as compared to usual care, in breast cancer and lymphoma patients treated with anthracyclines.