Evaluating heart health in adult survivors of childhood cancer
Prospective Single Center Cohort Study for Early Detection of Cardiac Dysfunction in Childhood Cancer Survivors
This study is testing if a new heart imaging technique can find heart problems earlier in adult survivors of childhood cancer who had treatments that might have harmed their hearts.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 500 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Bern Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, radiation |
| Locations | 6 sites (Basel, Canton of Basel-City and 5 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT03790943 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This multicenter, prospective cohort study assesses early cardiac dysfunction in adult survivors of childhood cancer using advanced echocardiographic techniques. The study aims to determine if speckle tracking echocardiography can detect cardiac dysfunction earlier than conventional methods. Participants will undergo a comprehensive cardiac evaluation, including both standard and novel echocardiographic assessments, as well as cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The focus is on survivors who received cardiotoxic treatments, such as anthracyclines or chest radiation, to identify those at higher risk for cardiac issues.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adult survivors of childhood cancer who were diagnosed before age 20 and have survived at least 5 years since their last cancer treatment.
Not a fit: Patients who were not treated with cardiotoxic therapies or who are not survivors of childhood cancer may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to earlier detection and intervention for cardiac dysfunction in childhood cancer survivors, potentially improving their long-term health outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results using advanced echocardiographic techniques for early detection of cardiac issues, suggesting this approach may be effective.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
This prospective cohort study is nested within the Childhood Cancer Registry (ChCR), a national, population-based cancer registry that includes all children and adolescents in Switzerland who were diagnosed with cancer at age 0-20 years. It includes patients diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, central nervous system tumors, and malignant solid tumours or Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Childhood cancer survivors have survived at least 5 years from cancer diagnosis. Inclusion Criteria: * Registered in the ChCR * Formerly treated at the Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology of one of five participating centers * Treated with any chemotherapy and/or chest radiation * Survived ≥ 5 years since most recent cancer diagnosis (primary cancer, relapse(s), secondary cancer) at time of examination * Diagnosed at age ≤ 20 years * ≥ 18 years of age at time of study participation * Resident in Switzerland * Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Study participants will be excluded if they do not meet the above mentioned inclusion criteria or refuse to participate in the study.
Where this trial is running
Basel, Canton of Basel-City and 5 other locations
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Basel — Basel, Canton of Basel-City, Switzerland (Recruiting)
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern — Bern, Canton of Bern, Switzerland (Active_not_recruiting)
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital Bern — Bern, Switzerland (Recruiting)
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals of Geneva — Geneva, Switzerland (Recruiting)
- Department of Cardiology, Lucerne Cantonal Hospital — Lucerne, Switzerland (Recruiting)
- Department of Cardiology, Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen — Sankt Gallen, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Claudia E Kuehni, MD — University of Bern
- Study coordinator: Claudia E Kuehni, MD
- Email: claudia.kuehni@unibe.ch
- Phone: +41 31 684 35 07
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.