Teesside researchers have been looking at whether a heart drug could prevent heart damage in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy.
Patients undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma took part in the trial led by a specialist heart researcher from South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Patients underwent blood tests and heart scans during six cycles of chemotherapy and then again, one month after treatment.
The specialist heart research team looked at whether the patients who took enalapril had less troponin blood markers in their blood.
Studies show troponin is an early indicator of heart damage, a side effect of chemotherapy and later, heart dysfunction.
He said: “We found that the blood marker troponin was raised in about 80% of patients and there was no difference between the group that had enalapril and the group that didn’t.
“We don’t think taking enalapril to prevent damage to the heart caused by chemotherapy should now become part of standard care for these patients.
“Even though taking enalapril does not prevent heart damage, it is not harmful for patients and so those already needing to take it at the same time as their chemotherapy should continue to do so.”
Results from the follow up study of longer-term heart scans are expected later this year.
About the study
The study was funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research and included a national research team of experts from Newcastle, Durham and Teesside Universities.