St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Childhood cancer survivors are at increased risk for premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) due to cancer treatment-related exposures, including radiation therapy and platinum-based chemotherapy. Current ASCVD risk assessment tools may underestimate cardiovascular risk in younger survivors. This observational study performs detailed cardiovascular phenotyping using imaging, blood-based biomarkers, and vascular function testing among adult survivors enrolled in the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort (SJLIFE), with comparison to community controls, to better characterize subclinical ASCVD risk and inform survivor-specific prevention strategies. Primary Objective: Perform deeper phenotyping of SJLIFE participants at treatment-related risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease \[ASCVD\] to facilitate early detection of pathophysiological targets appropriate for remediation. Secondary Objectives: Determine the distribution of lipoprotein (a) levels and prevalence of elevated levels among survivors with any treatment related exposure-based risk for ASCVD overall and then compared to community controls. Evaluate prevalence of clinical and imaging markers of ASCVD risk among survivors exposed only to platinum chemotherapy and compare that to community controls.
Survivors of childhood cancer experience substantially increased risk of ischemic heart disease and stroke compared to the general population. This excess risk is largely driven by cancer therapy exposures such as chest or neck radiation and platinum-based chemotherapy. However, most evidence-based ASCVD screening and prevention guidelines are derived from populations aged 40 years or older without cancer therapy exposure, leaving younger survivors inadequately risk stratified. This study leverages the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort (SJLIFE) to conduct enhanced cardiovascular phenotyping among surv…
Inclusion Criteria: \- SJLIFE Survivor or Control * Age ≥18 years * Enrolled in the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort (SJLIFE) * Participant or legal guardian/representative is able and willing to give informed consent. SJLIFE Survivor only * Participant has been treated with at least one of the following cancer therapies: platinum chemotherapy, neck radiation exposure of at least 1000 centigray (cGy), or chest radiation exposure of at least 1000 cGy (with potential exposure to the heart). Exclusion Criteria: SJLIFE Survivor or Control * Previous stroke or intervention for severe carotid arteri…
Low dose, ECG gated, non contrast cardiac computed tomography (CT) scan performed to quantify coronary artery calcium using the Agatston scoring method for assessment of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.
Bilateral high resolution B mode carotid ultrasound with color and spectral Doppler interrogation of the common carotid artery, carotid bulb, and internal carotid artery to assess carotid plaque, stenosis, and intima-media thickness.
Peripheral blood draw for measurement of serum lipoprotein(a) levels to identify ASCVD risk enhancing factors.
Non invasive vascular function assessments including pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, and arterial elasticity using FDA cleared devices (e.g., SphygmoCor XCEL and HDI/PulseWave CR-2000) to evaluate arterial stiffness and vascular health.