High-Sensitivity Troponin T as a Prognostic Factor of Conventional Echocardiographic Parameters in Cancer Patients: A Prospective Observational Study

<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Cardiac injury caused by cancer therapy can be detected early using high-sensitivity cardiac troponins (hs-cTns), and this is crucial for preventing irreversible consequences. Clinically relevant issues regarding hs-cTns in oncologic settings-such as reliable cut-off values, the optimal assessment timeframe, factors influencing their levels, and their prognostic ability in relation to functional echocardiographic parameters-require further investigation. In this study, we aimed to examine the determinants of hs-cTnT variations during cancer therapy and the relationship between the biomarker and functional conventional echocardiographic parameters. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: We prospectively evaluated adult patients scheduled for chemotherapy for either breast or gastrointestinal cancers, excluding those with pulmonary and cardiac disorders. We enrolled 40 patients who underwent a minimum of one cycle of potentially cardiotoxic regimens containing at least one of the following agents: anthracyclines, cyclophosphamide, taxanes, 5-fluorouracil, platinum compounds, trastuzumab, or bevacizumab. We observed two-dimensional and tissue Doppler echocardiographic parameters and hs-cTnT levels for a median of 360 days (IQR 162, 478) following the start of chemotherapy. <i>Results</i>: The generalised estimating equation (GEE) analysis revealed significant elevations in hs-cTnT levels at three months (β = 1.2; <i>p</i> = 0.005) and six months (β = 2.3; <i>p</i> = 0.02) from baseline, influenced by anthracycline treatment (<i>p</i> = 0.009), renal function (<i>p</i> = 0.003), and increased cardiotoxicity risk (high: <i>p</i> = 0.013; medium: <i>p</i> < 0.001). Elevated hs-cTnT levels independently predicted the deterioration of the LV longitudinal myocardial function, measured by the systolic tissue velocities, according to the GEE analysis. The receiver operating characteristic curve-derived hs-cTnT thresholds-of 8.23 ng/L and 8.08 ng/L-had a high negative predictive value for identifying Average and Lateral LVS' decreases, respectively. <i>Conclusions</i>: Our research supports the use of baseline and continuing hs-cTnT testing in cancer patients, showing the dependence of the biomarker on renal function, cardiovascular toxicity risk level, and anthracycline treatment. The hs-cTnT cut-off value of approximately 8 ng/L may suggest a low probability of longitudinal myocardial function impairment and this observation needs further validation in larger cohorts.