About this Research Topic
Pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which consist of 15%–20% of all pediatric acute leukemias, is associated with a significant risk of cardiotoxicity, which is defined as direct damage to the heart Treatment advances have improved survival rates, but children with AML commonly experience early and/or late systolic dysfunction. Almost 27% of children with AML who underwent anthracycline chemotherapies, a common chemotherapy type in this disease, exhibit late cardiotoxicity. Additionally, early cardiac impairment reported in several studies (from 12% to 21% of the children with AML) during or following chemotherapy treatment (up to five years). Moreover, this population has high risk of various vascular impairments such as coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Therefore, identifying and evaluating methods to ameliorate and prevent cardiotoxicity in pediatric AML is very crucial.
Several strategies have been proposed to prevent the cardiotoxic effect of chemotherapy treatments, including medication, exercise and diet. Previous studies have shown that cardioprotective medication, for example dexrazoxane, can improve left ventricular systolic function in different types of pediatric cancers treated with chemotherapies. Moreover, exercise and diet, whether independently or congruently, have been evaluated and proposed as a safe way to prevent cardiac impairment in various cancer type populations during, but also following, chemotherapy treatments. Children with AML tend to have reduced exercise capacity due to reduced physical activity during cancer therapies, and an exercise regimen might be very beneficial in preventing cardiac implications. Additionally, proper diet might also contribute to a better management of cardiotoxicity in pediatric AML since it is widely documented that numerous nutrients improve the immune system and contribute to preventing various infections. Consequently, longitudinal studies evaluating the long-term effect of those strategies (medication, exercise, diet) are needed to elucidate their therapeutic role in pediatric AML.
In this research topic, we are seeking to review recent advances regarding cardiotoxicity monitoring and prevention in AML, including but not limited to medication management and/or lifestyle behavior modification. The aim of this research topic is to advance our knowledge in methods to monitor and improve cardiac health in pediatric AML individuals and therefore contribute to long-term survivorship in this population.
Several strategies have been proposed to prevent the cardiotoxic effect of chemotherapy treatments, including medication, exercise and diet. Previous studies have shown that cardioprotective medication, for example dexrazoxane, can improve left ventricular systolic function in different types of pediatric cancers treated with chemotherapies. Moreover, exercise and diet, whether independently or congruently, have been evaluated and proposed as a safe way to prevent cardiac impairment in various cancer type populations during, but also following, chemotherapy treatments. Children with AML tend to have reduced exercise capacity due to reduced physical activity during cancer therapies, and an exercise regimen might be very beneficial in preventing cardiac implications. Additionally, proper diet might also contribute to a better management of cardiotoxicity in pediatric AML since it is widely documented that numerous nutrients improve the immune system and contribute to preventing various infections. Consequently, longitudinal studies evaluating the long-term effect of those strategies (medication, exercise, diet) are needed to elucidate their therapeutic role in pediatric AML.
In this research topic, we are seeking to review recent advances regarding cardiotoxicity monitoring and prevention in AML, including but not limited to medication management and/or lifestyle behavior modification. The aim of this research topic is to advance our knowledge in methods to monitor and improve cardiac health in pediatric AML individuals and therefore contribute to long-term survivorship in this population.
Keywords: Cardiotoxicity, Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Prevention
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