
Dr. Eric Avelar, MD, FACC
University of Connecticut Health Center
Early Detection of Cardiotoxicity by Advanced Cardio-Imaging and a Novel Biomarker in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Awarded $50,000
About this Project:
The advent of modern cancer treatment has significantly improved the outcome of patients with cancer and, for the first time, has introduced survivorship as a theme in their management. Connecticut has the second highest rate of breast cancer in the country. As more anticancer drugs are under investigation by the food and drug administration (FDA), there is a need for clear consensus or guideline to assure safe approval of these agents. Cardiovascular disease has become a leading cause of death among breast cancer survivors; it is, therefore, imperative to investigate ways to prevent heart injury from anticancer medications, without interfering with the great benefit of that treatment. There is a growing expectation for a newer, noninvasive, and highly predictive diagnostic algorithm that will detect early subclinical cardiotoxicity. This can only be accomplished, however, with careful investigation utilizing both advanced imaging and novel biomarkers.