The investigation of arterial stiffness as a potential marker in cardio-oncology.

Anthracyclines (such as doxorubicin, DOX) are among the most effective chemotherapeutics and are widely used in modern cancer treatment despite the advent of targeted therapies. However, dosedependent cardiotoxicity limits the clinical use of DOX. It is well documented that DOX may provoke cardiotoxicity leading to left ventricular dysfunction and eventually congestive heart failure. Recent studies have reported that anthracyclines also interfere with arterial stiffness, an overall measure of vascular health. However, it is unclear whether vascular toxicity occurs through the same mechanisms and pathways as the cardiac toxicity. Moreover, the clinical implications of increased arterial stiffness due to DOX, either as contributing mechanism to cardiotoxicity or as early marker of accelerated cardiovascular aging in (childhood) cancer survivors is incompletely understood. The current research proposal aims to shed light on the mechanisms and clinical relevance of DOX-induced vascular toxicity by pursuing a translational experimental research approach.

Keywords:CARDIO ONCOLOGY

Disciplines:Cardiac and vascular medicine not elsewhere classified