title: Abnormal NT-pro-BNP levels in asymptomatic long-term survivors of childhood cancer treated with anthracyclines.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity can cause serious health problems for an increasing number of survivors of childhood malignancies. The aims of this study were to document plasma concentrations of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and NT-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) in a large group of asymptomatic long-term survivors of childhood cancer treated with anthracyclines, and to study the relation of the abnormal biomarker levels with different risk factors for anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and conventional echocardiographic parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred twenty-two asymptomatic survivors of childhood cancer underwent a detailed echocardiography. Blood samples were taken to determine the levels of NT-pro-BNP and cTnT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the survivors had abnormal cTnT levels. Thirteen percent of the survivors (n = 16) had abnormal NT-pro-BNP levels. Abnormal NT-pro-BNP levels were significantly related to cumulative anthracycline dosage (P < 0.003). Eleven of 31 survivors (35%) treated with cumulative anthracycline dose of 300 mg/m(2) or more, had abnormal NT-pro-BNP levels which were significantly related to end-diastolic left ventricular internal diameter (LVIDd) indexed for body surface area (BSA) (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cardiac TnT does not contribute to the early detection of late onset anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. Abnormal levels of NT-pro-BNP were detected in 13% of 122 asymptomatic, long-term survivors of childhood cancer. Follow-up of these survivors is essential to answer the question whether NT-pro-BNP is an early marker for late onset anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. a.mavinkurve@cukz.umcn.nl
authors.forename: Annelies M C
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mavinkurve-Groothuis
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Groot-Loonen
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bellersen
authors.forename: Milanthy S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Pourier
authors.forename: Ton
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Feuth
authors.forename: Jos P M
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bökkerink
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Hoogerbrugge
authors.forename: Livia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kapusta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D017741:Survivors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D018943:Anthracyclines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain