title: Plasma concentrations of NT-pro-BNP and cardiac troponin-I in relation to doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy and cardiac function in childhood malignancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Anthracyclines are well established as highly efficacious antineoplastic agents for childhood malignancy, but they frequently cause dose-related cardiotoxicity. For this reason, children who have received anthracyclines need periodical cardiac evaluation. The plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) have been shown to increase in proportion to severity of cardiac dysfunction. N-terminal BNP (NT-pro-BNP) is secreted from the cardiac ventricles in response to volume expansion and pressure overload. The aim of our study was to investigate whether plasma levels of NT-pro-BNP and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) can be used as specific markers for doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in children with malignancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed the study in Dicle University Hospital, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology clinic. Were measured plasma NT-pro-BNP and cTnI in 31 patients (14 boys and 17 girls) who received doxorubicin-containing chemotherapy for their malignancy at cumulative doses of 30-600 mg/m2, between October 2000 and December 2004. Cardiac evaluation of the patients included recording of electrocardiography and assessment of systolic and diastolic functions of the heart by echocardiography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 31 patients, 4 (12.9%) had left ventricular dysfunction as assessed by echocardiography. Plasma NT-pro-BNP levels in these patients were significantly elevated in comparison with healthy controls (p<0.001). Plasma NT-pro-BNP levels were significantly elevated in patients with cardiac dysfunction when compared with normal cardiac function (p<0.008). The cTnI levels were found under normal value in all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Measurement of NT-pro-BNP level may be an easy and practical tool, and during treatment may allow earlier-identification of individuals at risk for monitoring cardiac damage. Plasma NT-pro-BNP concentration may be a useful and sensitive indicator of cardiac dysfunction in children receiving doxorubicin therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Unit of Hematology and Oncology, University of Dicle, Diyarbakir 21280, Turkey. msoker@dicle.edu.tr
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soker
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kervancioglu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D019210:Troponin I / Q000097:blood*; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D019210:Troponin I; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D004317:Doxorubicin