Selenium in the prevention of anthracycline-induced cardiac toxicity in children with cancer

• Authors: Nurdan Tacyildiz, Ankara Üniversitesi; Derya Ozyoruk, Ankara Üniversitesi; Guzin Ozelci Kavas, Ankara Üniversitesi; Gulsan Yavuz, Ankara Üniversitesi; Emel Unal, Ankara Üniversitesi; Handan Dincaslan, Ankara Üniversitesi; Semra Atalay, Ankara Üniversitesi; Tayfun Ucar, Ankara Üniversitesi; Aydan Ikinciogullari, Ankara Üniversitesi; Beyza Doganay, Ankara Üniversitesi; Gulsah Oktay, Ankara Üniversitesi; Ayhan Cavdar, Turkish Academy of Sciences; Omer Kucuk, Emory University
• Journal Title: Journal of Oncology
• Volume: Volume 2012
• Publisher: Hindawi | 2012-11-19, Pages 651630-651630
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1155/2012/651630
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Oncology; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

High cumulative doses of anthracyclines (300500 mg/m2) used in the treatment of children with cancer may result in cardiotoxicity, a major long-term adverse effect that limits clinical usefulness of this class of chemotherapeutic agents. We assessed anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity by measuring Pro-BNP levels and echocardiographic (ECHO) findings and investigated potential protective effect of selenium (Se) supplementation in a group of pediatric cancer patients. Plasma level of Pro-BNP was measured, and ECHO was performed in 67 patients (45 boys, 22 girls; ages 218 years; median age 12 years) after they completed anthracycline-containing chemotherapy. Serum Se level was measured in 37 patients. Eleven patients had high Pro-BNP levels and/or cardiac failure with Pro-BNP levels of 108,022 pg/mL (median 226.3 pg/mL; laboratory normal level is less than 120 pg/mL). Serum Se levels were low (20129 mcg/L, median 62 mcg/L) in ten of these eleven patients. Eight of 10 patients with low Se and high Pro-BNP levels were supplemented with Se 100 mcg/day for a period of 433 months (median 6 months) which resulted in improvement in Pro-BNP and/or ECHO findings. These results suggest that Se supplementation may have a role in protection against anthracycline-induced cardiac toxicity.