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Effects of Carvedilol on Cardiotoxicity in Cancer Patients Submitted to Anthracycline Therapy

Phase 4
Recruiting
Conditions
Cancer
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT04939883
Lead Sponsor
Hospital Sirio-Libanes
Brief Summary

Neoplasia is the main cause of general death in the Brazilian population. In 2016, they were responsible for approximately 211,343 (16%) deaths, followed by cardiovascular diseases (12.6%). Despite the high mortality rate of neoplasia, oncological treatment have advanced substantially in recent decades improving the prognosis of patients. However, growing evidence suggest that some oncological agents may induce significant toxicity that may play a major role in the quality of life, morbidity and mortality. The cardiovascular system is often negatively affected with cancer therapy, predisposing several patients to stop appropriate treatments or to have cardiovascular events related to the cardiotoxicity. The most typical manifestation of cardiotoxicity and related consequences (heart failure) are related to the use of anthracyclines. Anthracyclines are part of the chemotherapy regimen for solid tumors and hematological neoplasms in children and adults, and are associated with an increase in life expectancy. Carvedilol is an α and β-blocker that also has antioxidant properties. Preliminary studies have shown that carvedilol and its metabolites prevent lipid peroxidation, inhibit the formation and inactivate free radicals, in addition to preventing the depletion of endogenous antioxidants, such as vitamin E. These effects would potentially prevent anthracycline injury but definitive evidence is still needed. This is a multi-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study that aims to establish the efficacy of carvedilol for the primary prevention of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in cancer patients obtained with anthracycline chemotherapy, in different schedules and doses.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
1018
Inclusion Criteria
  • ≥18 years of age at the time of screening
  • Cancer patients that will receive chemotherapy with anthracyclines.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Inability to adequate asses left ventricular function
  • Previous symptoms (dyspnea on exertion, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and pulmonary and systemic congestion) suggestive of or a previous diagnosis of heart failure.
  • Previous history of any cardiomyopathy (eg.: valve disease, Chagas' disease, infiltrative cardiomyopathy)
  • LVEF < 50%
  • Previous history of myocardial revascularization
  • Permanent tachyarrhythmia (flutter, atrial fibrillation, atrial tachycardia)
  • Congenital heart disease with left ventricular function impared
  • Contra-indication to the use of beta-blockers.
  • Pregnant or Breast-feeding females or women of childbearing age who intend to became pregnant.
  • On kidney replacement therapy
  • ECOG >= 4 or Karnofsky <=30
  • Advanced hepatic failure (C score Child-Pugh and MELD > 15);
  • Previous use of anthracycline
  • Have any serious concomitant systemic disease, condition, or disorder that, in the opinion of the investigator, should preclude participation in this study
  • Are concurrently enrolled in any other type of medical research judged not to be scientifically or medically compatible with this study

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Control GroupPlaceboPatients allocated to this group will receive placebo in a presumably staggered and progressive manner similar to the group intervention. The placebo will ideally be maintained for up to 30 days after the end of chemotherapy.
Intervention GroupCarvedilolPatients allocated to the intervention group will receive carvedilol 6.25 mg twice daily, then increased to 12.5 mg twice daily, until maximum dose of 25 mg twice daily according to the patients' tolerance; The dosis increments will occur every 5 days. If after the increment the patient develops bradycardia or hypotension, the dose will be reduced to the maximum tolerated dose. Carvedilol will ideally be maintained for up to 30 days after the end of chemotherapy.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Drop in ejection fraction within 12 months of starting treatment.12 months

Drop in ejection fraction\> 10% to values less than 50% of the left ventricle

Cardiac events within 12 months of starting treatment.12 months

Cardiac events such as death, resuscitated cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Drop in ejection fraction within 12 months.12 months

Drop in ejection fraction greater than 10% and values less than 55%

Diastolic dysfunction within 12 months12 months

Development of diastolic dysfunction within 12 months

Reduction in myocardial strain in 12 months from the start of treatment.12 months

Relative reduction of more than 15% in myocardial strain

Elevation of biomarkers during chemotherapy and up to 12 months of follow-up12 months

Elevation of biomarkers (NT-pro BNP and troponin) during chemotherapy and up to 24 months of follow-up

Quality of life (EuroQol-5D).12 months

Quality of life measured by questionnaire in up to 12 months.

Cardiovascular complications in 12 months.12 months

Cardiovascular complications (death, resuscitated cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias) in 24 months.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hospital Sirio Libanes

🇧🇷

São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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