Researchers investigate link between common cancer drug and heart failure

Researchers at the Texas Heart Institute and MD Anderson are investigating the link between a common cancer drug and heart failure.

The researchers have shown that a genetic link exists that could protect the heart from common cancer chemotherapy drugs. The study involved finding patients who can tolerate the drug in order to test how a new drug could be created to help individuals who cannot tolerate the cancer drug.

Doxorubicin is the cancer drug being studied. It is used widely in cancer treatment and has been associated with cardiotoxicity which can lead to heart failure. Researchers have shown in mice that the elimination of a certain protein gave them protection. The hope is that they will be able to create a new drug that will protect all patients from possible heart failure.

"This is obviously a significant finding and one that holds potential to develop a blood test to predict patient's sensitivity to this drug to completely eliminate this dreaded side-effect," Dr. Edward Yeh, of the Cardiology Department at M.D. Anderson, said in a press release.

The findings will be published in this month Nature Medicine.