In 2005, Sydney resident Lee Hunt faced a daunting battle with aggressive breast cancer, undergoing intense chemotherapy and radiotherapy. To enhance the effectiveness of her treatment, she was prescribed Herceptin, a targeted therapy medication that was relatively new at the time. While this treatment likely played a vital role in preserving her life, it led to unforeseen health complications later on.
Five years post-treatment, Hunt began experiencing troubling symptoms, including dizziness and fainting spells. Initially, her GP thought her low blood pressure might be the culprit and referred her to a haematologist. The specialist, however, recognised the potential connection between Hunt’s symptoms and heart issues associated with Herceptin. Following further examinations, Hunt was diagnosed with cardiotoxicity, indicating long-term damage to her heart resulting from her cancer treatments.
Hunt’s experience is increasingly common among breast cancer survivors, as research indicates that up to 30% of patients undergoing chemotherapy may develop serious heart complications linked to their treatment protocol. This emerging health issue has raised alarms within the medical community regarding the long-term effects of chemotherapy and associated therapies.
In a promising turn, Australian researchers at the Heart Research Institute are working on a solution aimed at mitigating these risks. Led by Professor Julie McMullen, the team is focusing on two potential drugs that could be administered alongside chemotherapy to prevent heart damage. The innovative research employs “mini-hearts,” tiny organ-like structures created from human blood cells that replicate heart activity, allowing for accurate testing of drug effects.
According to Professor McMullen, these mini-hearts can be engineered using blood from breast cancer patients, enabling careful observation of how cancer drugs and potential protective medications affect heart function. This pioneering work not only seeks to understand the impact of cancer treatments on the heart but also aims to uncover why certain patients might be more susceptible to heart issues.
The overarching goal is to identify at-risk individuals before severe symptoms emerge, ultimately developing drugs that can protect cardiac health during and after cancer treatment. With ongoing knowledge gaps around cardiotoxicity, this initiative is a significant step towards personalised cancer care, with the potential to improve outcomes for countless women who endure similar health challenges following breast cancer treatment.