Cardio-oncology

This study focuses on male and female patients being treated for breast cancer that is positive for the HER2 receptor which requires special treatments targeting that receptor. The problem is that these treatments, while effective for the cancer, can sometimes harm the heart. Because of this, patients have to undergo heart tests every three months during treatment, even if they have no history of heart disease or feel fine. The guidelines for these regular heart tests were established decades ago when these treatments were first introduced, but research shows that most of these tests don't actually change the treatment plan. This suggests that many patients are going through unnecessary tests, which can cause stress, delay treatments, and increase healthcare costs. To address this, the researchers propose a new study with 300 patients with HER2 positive breast cancer to test a more personalized approach to cardiac surveillance. Participants will be classified based on their risk of heart problems: low or intermediate. Instead of testing every patient every three months, those in the intermediate group will be tested every 4 months, and those in the low-risk group will be tested every 6 months. The researchers will compare this new approach to the current system to see if fewer tests are just as safe and effective. The researchers will measure heart health, how well cancer treatments are completed, and how patients feel about having fewer tests. If this new approach works, it could save money and reduce the burden on female patients without risking their health.

Cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) has become a major cause of morbidity and mortality among cancer survivors. Although cardiac rehabilitation is recommended for cardiovascular disease prevention and management, high-quality randomized controlled evidence regarding its efficacy in cardio-oncology populations remains limited. This multicenter, prospective, parallel-group, superiority randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate whether a structured cardio-oncology rehabilitation (CORE) program combined with usual care can improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CTRCD or cancer survivors at high cardiovascular risk, compared with usual care alone. A total of 800 participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either structured cardio-oncology rehabilitation plus usual care or usual care alone. The intervention includes individualized exercise training, nutritional management, psychosocial support, cardiovascular risk-factor optimization, and patient education. Participants will be followed for 12 months. The primary endpoint is time to first major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) within 12 months. Secondary endpoints include changes in cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiac function, biomarkers, quality of life, physical function, psychological status, safety outcomes, and health economic outcomes.

Patients undergoing dual treatment with Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) for various cancers, e.g. melanoma, are at increased risk of developing myocarditis and cardiomyopathy. Currently, only limited data on serial myocardial tissue changes during treatment and whether they predict outcomes are available. Cardiac MRI (CMR) is the reference standard for non-invasive myocardial volumes/function analysis and uniquely characterizes myocardial tissue. Therefore, it may help detect myocardial tissue changes during treatment and help early treatment and prevent adverse cardiac outcomes.

The objective of this observational study is to assess the outcomes of a hospital-based Cardio-Oncology Rehabilitation (CORe) program focused on exercise in cancer patients undergoing cardiotoxic treatment. This evaluation will be conducted by analyzing disease-related health indicators, functional capacity, and quality of life. Patients at risk of cardiotoxicity attending the Cardio-Onco-Hematology Unit will be offered the exercise program, which includes two modalities: in-person (center-based) and remote (home-based) options. The assignment to either modality is non randomized, based on the functional assessment conducted in the Rehabilitation Unit and the agreement between healthcare professional and patient. All participants will perform a 3-month supervised exercise intervention. There are 3 time points for assessment: at baseline (T0), 3-month after the exercise program (T1) and follow-up at 9 months from baseline (T2).