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CARDIAC SURVEILLANCE IN ONCOLOGY: A REVIEW OF CIRCULATING BIOMARKERS AND DIAGNOSIS METHODS IN CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED CARDIOTOXICITY

EMILIA ANCA 1 , MANUELA BANCIU 1,2,3 , CORINA-LUMINIȚA ROȘIORU 2 , CAMELIA DOBRE 2,3*

1 “Babeș-Bolyai” University, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Doctoral School of Integrative Biology, 44 Republicii Street, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
2 “Babeș-Bolyai” University, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, 44 Republicii Street, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
3 “Babeș-Bolyai” University, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources (3B), 44 Republicii Street, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

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Cancer survivors are at a much greater risk of developing cardiovascular diseases due to cardiotoxic chemotherapy. Anthracyclines, antimetabolites and alkylating agents are known to have damaging side effects on the cardiovascular system. Cancer treatment-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) or cardiotoxicity (CTOX) is defined by the development of acute or chronic heart dysfunction following chemotherapy. It is commonly associated with heart failure (HF) symptoms and left ventricle (LV) dysfunction. Despite extensive research efforts aimed at finding early diagnostic methods, the outcomes remain inconclusive. Currently, CTRCD is commonly diagnosed by imaging techniques in conjunction with blood troponins and natriuretic peptides assessments. Blood biomarkers are non-invasive, cost-effective means of screening for a wide range of diseases and present great potential utility in CTOX risk assessment and diagnosis. Some biomarkers, such as troponin and natriuretic peptides, are already recommended for screening this type of patient, but a battery of specific biomarkers is intensely needed to accurately diagnose or even predict cardiac risk in oncologic patients.