Effect of Anthracyclines and Cyclophosphamide on Cardiovascular Responses

Chronic Effect of Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide on Neurovascular Control and Blood Pressure in Women in Adjuvant Treatment for Breast Neoplasia

The present study aims to investigate the chronic effect of treatment with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide on neurovascular control and blood pressure in women undergoing adjuvant treatment for breast cancer.

The development of new drugs and different adjuvant therapeutic regimens, based on the combination of anthracycline (A) and cyclophosphamide (C), have contributed greatly to improve survival rate in breast cancer patients. Despite the clinical benefits of this therapy, AC treatment can cause cardiovascular acute and chronic changes. In a recent investigation, we observed that an acute AC chemotherapy session increases sympathetic nervous activity and blood pressure in patients with breast cancer.

The present study aims to investigate the chronic effects of AC regimen on sympathetic nervous activity, peripheral vasoconstriction, endothelial microparticles and blood pressure, in women with breast cancer.

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of stage II-III breast cancer
• starting adjuvant chemotherapy

Exclusion Criteria:

• metastatic disease,
• hypercholesterolemia, diabetes,
• hypertension,
• severe lymphedema,
• organic disorders (renal failure, heart failure and chronic liver disease),
• obesity (BMI> 30) and,
• who are under pharmacological treatment with statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, losartan potassium, beta blockers or antioxidants