Journal Article

Statins to prevent early cardiac dysfunction in cancer patients at increased cardiotoxicity risk receiving anthracyclines

Prica, Anca, Brezden-Masley, Christine, Chan, Joyce, Billia, Filio, Maze, Dawn, Connelly, Kim A, Wintersperger, Bernd J, Shalmon, Tamar, Pezo, Rossanna C, Houbois, Christian, Amir, Eitan, Abdel-Qadir, Husam, Hanneman, Kate, Saha, Sudipta, Thavendiranathan, Paaladinesh, Thorpe, Kevin E, Marwick, Thomas H, Runeckles, Kyle, Huang, Flora, Power, Coleen, Kei, Tiffanie

2023

Overview

Abstract Background and aims Anthracyclines can cause cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). We aimed to assess whether statins prevent decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in anthracycline-treated patients at increased risk for CTRCD. Methods In this multicenter double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, patients with cancer at increased risk of anthracycline-related CTRCD (per ASCO guidelines) were randomly assigned to atorvastatin 40 mg or placebo once-daily. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging was performed before and within 4 weeks after anthracyclines. Blood biomarkers were measured at every cycle. The primary outcome was post-anthracycline LVEF, adjusted for baseline. CTRCD was defined as a fall in LVEF by >10% to <53%. Secondary endpoints included left ventricular (LV) volumes, CTRCD, CMR tissue characterization, high sensitivity troponin I (hsTnI), and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). Results We randomized 112 patients (56.9 ± 13.6 years, 87 female, and 73 with breast cancer): 54 to atorvastatin and 58 to placebo. Post-anthracycline CMR was performed 22 (13–27) days from last anthracycline dose. Post-anthracycline LVEF did not differ between the atorvastatin and placebo groups (57.3 ± 5.8% and 55.9 ± 7.4%, respectively) when adjusted for baseline LVEF (P = 0.34). There were no significant between-group differences in post-anthracycline LV end-diastolic (P = 0.20) or end-systolic volume (P = 0.12), CMR myocardial edema and/or fibrosis (P = 0.06–0.47), or peak hsTnI (P ≥ 0.99) and BNP (P = 0.23). CTRCD incidence was similar (4% versus 4%, P ≥ 0.99). There was no difference in adverse events. Conclusions In patients at increased risk of CTRCD, primary prevention with atorvastatin during anthracycline therapy did not ameliorate early LVEF decline, LV remodeling, CTRCD, change in serum cardiac biomarkers, or CMR myocardial tissue changes. Trial registration NCT03186404. Graphical Abstract Graphical Abstract Summary of study enrollment, assessments, and outcomes. Randomized patients had cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) pre- and 72 (63–122) days post-anthracycline initiation / 22 (13–27) days post last dose of anthracycline. The stethoscopes and blood tubes reflect repeated clinical and biomarker assessment after every anthracycline cycle.

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Subject: Anthracyclines / Anthracyclines - adverse effects / Antibiotics, Antineoplastic - adverse effects / Atorvastatin - adverse effects / Biomarkers / Breast cancer / Breast Neoplasms - chemically induced / Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy / Cancer / Cancer patients / Cardiac patients / Cardiotoxicity / Cardiotoxicity - drug therapy / Care and treatment / Chemotherapy / Disease prevention / Female / Health aspects / Heart Diseases - diagnosis / Heart Diseases - diagnostic imaging / Humans / Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors - adverse effects / Natriuretic peptides / Original / Side effects / Statins / Stroke Volume / Type 2 diabetes / Ventricular Function, Left