Characterization and Kinetic of Chemotherapy-induced Cardiovascular Toxicity in Breast Cancer

Characterization and Kinetic of Chemotherapy-induced Cardiovascular Toxicity in Breast Cancer - PROTECT-COEUR

The combination of epirubicin-cyclophosphamide (EC) and paclitaxel (Tax) is one of the main chemotherapy treatments used in breast cancer patients. These treatments, which can be combined with anti-HER2 therapy using trastuzumab, are frequently associated with side effects including cardiac toxicity. However, this cardiac toxicity has only been demonstrated several months after treatment and using global indices such as ejection fraction.

The assessment of myocardial dysfunction using regional deformations and the kinetic of this dysfunction during chemotherapy treatment has never been performed. In order to counteract these myocardial dysfunctions, it is essential to better describe the kinetic of the cardiac toxicity by initiating measurements since the beginning of the treatment, in order to be able to propose adapted countermeasures (e.g. exercise training) in parallel with the chemotherapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

Epirubicin-cyclophosphamide + paclitaxel group:

• Female ≥ 18 years
• Stage I to III breast cancer
• Patient being planned for (neo)adjuvant therapy combining EC and Taxol on a weekly basis
• Enrolled in a social security plan
• Able to speak, read and understand French

Trastuzumab group:

• Female ≥ 18 years of age
• Stage I to III breast cancer
• Patient treated with trastuzumab
• Enrolled in a social security plan
• Able to speak, read and understand French

Exclusion Criteria:

For both groups: Epirubicin-cyclophosphamid + paclitaxel group and trastuzumab group

• Implantation of a pacemaker
• Contraindications to exercise
• Protected adult
• Psychiatric, musculoskeletal or neurological problems
• Pregnant or breastfeeding woman
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Body Mass Index > 35 kg/m²