Cardiac blood biomarkers in patients receiving thoracic (chemo)radiation

Lung Cancer. 2008 Dec;62(3):351-5. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2008.03.024. Epub 2008 May 6.

Abstract

Cardiotoxicity is a known consequence of thoracic irradiation and there are multiple overlapping risk factors for cardiac disease and thoracic malignancies. In this study, we quantified the impact of thoracic (chemo)radiation on cardiac troponin T (TnT), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) and aminoterminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Thirty patients receiving radiation therapy to the thorax with or without concurrent chemotherapy were evaluated. Serum was collected at baseline, 2 weeks into treatment and at the completion of radiation therapy. TnT, CK-MB and NT-proBNP were quantified using commercially available immunoassays. Cardiac dosimetric parameters and clinical risk factors were examined. In 29 of 30 patients, serum TnT remained undetectable (<0.01ng/mL) throughout (chemo)radiation. In the one patient with detectable serum TnT, levels did not change significantly with treatment. Similarly, thoracic (chemo)radiation did not cause statistically significant elevations in serum CK-MB and NT-proBNP. Thus, contemporary thoracic (chemo)radiation does not commonly result in elevations of serum TnT, CK-MB or NT-proBNP. Elevations in these markers during treatment merit further evaluation.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers / blood*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / blood
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / radiotherapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Creatine Kinase, MB Form / blood*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / blood
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / blood
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / blood*
  • Peptide Fragments / blood*
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / blood
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / drug therapy
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / radiotherapy
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / therapy
  • Thymus Neoplasms / blood
  • Thymus Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Thymus Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Thymus Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Troponin T / blood*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Troponin T
  • pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76)
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
  • Creatine Kinase, MB Form