An international study led by investigators from University of Rochester Medical Center and presented as an abstract at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago suggests that while three quarters of children with leukemia who receive chemotherapy will face heart issues that could be life-threatening as they get older, there is a cardio-protective drug they can receive during treatment that could significantly prevent the damage.
The study was led by Barbara L. Asselin, M.D., professor of Pediatrics and Oncology at URMC and it was sponsored by the Children's Oncology Group and the National Cancer Institute.
Believed to be among the largest trials of its kind to evaluate the efficacy of Zinecard (dexrazoxane) at preventing cardiac issues during treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
This study evaluated 537 patients over 10+ years following ALL treatment received between 1996 and 2001. All patients received combination chemotherapy that included known cardio toxic drug doxorubicin.
Patients were randomized into two arms: with or without intravenous Zinecard immediately prior to chemotherapy.
Later, researchers assessed each patient for heart damage at three different points after chemotherapy. Using standard measures, they looked at heart muscle function and structure. (A common problem following doxorubicin therapy is heart enlargement and thinning of the ventricular walls.)
Five-year survival with no evidence of leukemia was the same in both arms, which the investigators were pleased to see. However, in the arm that did not receive Zinecard, researchers found more patients with cardio toxic issues, including damage to the heart and to heart function compared to the arm that did receive Zinecard.
A drawback to the use of Zinecard is that among the arm receiving the drug, researchers found a higher incidence of secondary cancers. Although it wasn't much higher, it was high enough to alarm investigators.
"We now have some very effective cancer treatments at our disposal," concluded Asselin. "But we really need to focus on promoting the good health of our survivors. Our care does not end with chemotherapy. Being there for many years into the future, and to help childhood survivors understand their risks, is so important."
Source: Medical News Today
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