Research Data from National Cancer Center Update Understanding of Heart Failure (Doxorubicin-induced heart failure in cancer patients: A cohort study based on the Korean National Health Insurance Database)

Heart Disease Weekly

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Heart Disease Weekly -- A new study on Heart Disorders and Diseases - Heart Failure is now available. According to news originating from Gyeonggi Do, South Korea, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, "Doxorubicin is a typical anticancer drug that causes cardiomyopathy and heart failure (HF). The aim of our study was to investigate incidence, risk factors for doxorubicin-induced HF in Korean cancer patients and their survival rate, utilizing a nationwide population-based cohort."

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from National Cancer Center, "We analyzed 58 541 cancer patients who received doxorubicin between 2003 and 2010. Descriptive analysis was performed in patients with breast cancer, hematologic malignancy, gynecological malignancy, and sarcoma. Risk factors associated with doxorubicin-induced HF were investigated using a Cox proportional hazards model. The survival rate of doxorubicin-induced HF patients was compared with that of patients without doxorubicin-induced HF. A total of 2324 (4%) were diagnosed with doxorubicin-induced HF. In patients with breast cancer, predictive risk factors for doxorubicin-induced HF included age over 65 years [hazard ratio (HR) 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.72], hypertension [HR 2.45 (2.12-2.84)], diabetes mellitus [HR 1.26 (1.05-1.51)], coronary artery disease [HR 2.08 (1.63-2.66)], advanced stage [HR 1.31 (1.13-1.50)], and trastuzumab administration [HR 2.94 (2.54-3.40)]. In patients with hematologic malignancy, predictive risk factors included age over 65 years [HR 1.75 (1.49-2.07)], hypertension [HR 1.62 (1.37-1.92)], and coronary artery disease [HR 2.28 (1.80-2.89)]. Five-year survival rates of patients with doxorubicin-induced HF were significantly lower relative to those of patients without HF in breast cancer and hematologic malignancy: 80% vs 84% and 69% vs 75%, respectively (P < 0.001)."

According to the news editors, the research concluded: "In cancer patients treated with doxorubicin, management of risk factors, early detection, and treatment for doxorubicin-induced HF might be critical for patient survival."

For more information on this research see: Doxorubicin-induced heart failure in cancer patients: A cohort study based on the Korean National Health Insurance Database. Cancer Medicine, 2018;7(12):6084-6092. Cancer Medicine can be contacted at: Wiley, 111 River St, Hoboken 07030-5774, NJ, USA. (Wiley-Blackwell - www.wiley.com/; Cancer Medicine - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)2045-7634)

The news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained from H.J. Kim, Natl Canc Center, Center Clin Specialty, Dept. of Cardiol, Goyang Si, Gyeonggi Do, South Korea. Additional authors for this research include H. Cho, N. Lee, S.Y. Jung, S.H. Sim, I.H. Park, S. Lee, E.S. Lee and Y.A. Kim (see also Heart Disorders and Diseases - Heart Failure).