Diffusion Weighted Imaging as a Biomarker for Detection of Chemotherapy Induced Cardiotoxicity
Diffusion Weighted Imaging as a Biomarker for Detection of Chemotherapy Induced Cardiotoxicity
The goal of this study is to see if a special type of heart scan called a diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) that uses extra measurements, can be used to find early signs of heart damage from chemotherapy.
This prospective single institutional pilot study will enroll breast cancer patients who develop cardiotoxicity while on anthracycline and anti-HER2 therapy . The control group will be composed of patients on similar anthracycline therapy and dose but without a decline in LVEF on Cardiac MRI (CMR). Clinic visits with monitoring for cardiotoxicity occur as part of standard of care after therapy initiation. The study and control group will be composed of 15 patients each. At the discretion of the treating physician, patients will be recruited from the Breast Medical Oncology Service.
Inclusion Criteria:
≥18 years of age on the day of signing the informed consent.
Diagnosis of HER2+ breast cancer
For subjects with decrease in LVEF: Recent (within 12 weeks) drop in LVEF ≥10% on echocardiogram from baseline and confirmed by cardiac MRI for the study population. If the drop in EF is not confirmed on MRI, the subject will be removed and placed into the control group.
For control group: Less than a 10% change in EF from baseline for the control population confirmed on echocardiogram and cardiac MRI. If no change in EF is not confirmed on MRI, the subject will be removed and placed into the study group if the change in EF is equal to or greater than 10%. Note: Male breast cancer patients are uncommon and are not expected to be included in this study, however if they meet the above criteria, they will not be excluded.
Exclusion Criteria: