Early detection of heart and blood vessel damage from cancer treatments in children and young adults
Official title: Early Identification of Cardivascular Damage Induced by Chemotherapy and Antineoplastic Treatments in Pediatric Age
Run by IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna · NCT07382141 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether newer heart and vessel imaging and stiffness tests can find treatment-related damage earlier in children, adolescents, and young adult cancer patients.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 0 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 400 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna Academic / other |
| Locations | 5 sites (Bologna, Bologna and 4 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 17, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2028 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | February 2, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07382141 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Children, adolescents, and young adults with a diagnosis of cancer who need antineoplastic (chemotherapy or related) treatment are the intended participants.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who are not receiving potentially cardiotoxic antineoplastic therapies, are outside the pediatric/young adult age range, or cannot undergo the required imaging tests (for example, MRI contraindications) are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The study applies advanced cardiac and vascular diagnostics — including ultrasonography with speckle tracking, vascular stiffness measurement, cardiac MRI, and histologic studies — to children, adolescents, and young adults who receive antineoplastic therapy. Participants undergo pretreatment cardiovascular risk stratification and tailored follow-up based on that risk. The aim is to identify subclinical or early cardiotoxic changes that standard follow-up focused only on left ventricular systolic dysfunction may miss. Early identification would enable interventions to prevent progression to symptomatic heart disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enable earlier detection of cardiotoxicity and allow personalized follow-up to prevent progression to overt heart disease.
How similar studies have gone: Advanced imaging and strain-based approaches have shown promise for early cardiotoxicity detection in adult cancer populations, but they are less well validated in pediatric and young adult patients.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of oncological pathology and need for antineoplastic treatment Exclusion Criteria: * None
Where it's running
-
IRCCS - AOU di Bologna -Policlinico di Sant'Orsola UOC Pediatria
Bologna, Bologna, Italy Recruiting -
IRCCS AOU di Bologna -Policlinico di Sant'Orsola UO Cardiochirurgia pediatrica e dell'età evolutiva
Bologna, Bologna, Italy Recruiting -
IRCCS AOU di Bologna -Policlinico di Sant'Orsola UO Oncoematologia Pediatrica
Bologna, Bologna, Italy Recruiting -
IRCCS AOU di Bologna Policlinico di Sant'Orsola UO Cardiologia Pediatria e dell'età evolutiva
Bologna, Bologna, Italy Recruiting -
IRCCS AOU di Bologna Policlinico di Sant'Orsola UO Radiologia, sezione Cardio-Toraco-Vascolare
Bologna, Bologna, Italy Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Andrea Donti, MD
- Email: andrea.donti@aosp.bo.it
- Phone: 051/309900
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.