Early Detection of Acute and Early-Onset Cancer Therapy-Related Cardiac Dysfunction in Children With Cancer Using a Multiparametric Approach: Methodological Aspects of the EARLY Study

Background: Cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) is among the most important adverse effects of treatment of childhood cancer. In the EARLY study (Early detection of acute and early-onset cARdiovascuLar toxicity in children with cancer using a multiparametric approach), cardiac function in children treated for cancer was monitored during and shortly after treatment, using advanced echocardiography, electrocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) techniques. Methods: In this prospective pilot study, 100 children newly diagnosed with childhood cancer receiving anthracyclines as part of their cancer treatment were included. A subgroup of 30 children was included in the CMR sub-study. Echocardiography, electrocardiography, and CMR were performed before (T0), three and a half months after (T1), and one year after (T2) start of anthracycline treatment. In this article, we focus on the methodological aspects of the EARLY study, including patient enrollment and characteristics of the study cohort, as well as the feasibility of advanced echocardiography. Current Status: The last patient was included in August 2022. Follow-up for the last patient was finalized in August 2023. Follow-up was completed by 92% of the total study population and 97% of the CMR sub-study. Conclusions: Protocol adherence was high (92%–97%) and a full collection of data on each included individual was achieved. Advanced echocardiography, i.e., 4D ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain, was feasible in 76% and 69% of measurements, respectively. Cardiac outcomes during and shortly after treatment, as well as associations with known risk factors for CTRCD, such as anthracycline dose, dose of radiotherapy involving the heart, childhood cancer disease profile, age at diagnosis and sex will be reported in a future publication. The feasibility of the study allows for future insight into the correlation between early-onset CTRCD and heart failure during long-term follow-up of childhood cancer patients. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NL-OMON22737.