# Prevention of Anthracycline Chemotherapy Cardiotoxicity

> **NIH NIH K08** · TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · $31,901

## Abstract

This proposal presents a five-year research career development program, focused on the
prediction and prevention of life-threatening anthracycline chemotherapy cardiotoxicity in older
adults with lymphoma through: 1) improved prediction tools, 2) analysis of current
cardioprotection use and 3) ascertainment of patient and provider treatment preferences. The
candidate is an Assistant Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine and the Medical
Director of the Cardio-Oncology Program in the Division of Cardiology at Tufts Medical Center.
Under the mentorship of Dr. David Kent and Dr. Susan Parsons, researchers in the Institute for
Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies at Tufts Medical Center, the training plan builds on
the candidate's prior clinical and research experience to develop expertise in 1) designing
impactful cardio-oncology outcomes studies using large administrative databases; 2) oncology
clinical trial design and 3) qualitative and decision analytic research methods. Each year in the
US, more than 40,000 individuals 65 years and older are diagnosed with lymphoma with
anthracycline-containing regimens recommended as first-line treatment in the majority of
lymphoma subtypes. While anthracycline chemotherapeutic agents help induce lymphoma
remission, they also increase the risk of heart failure (HF). These effects are worsened in older
adults, as age is a potent risk factor for HF in both non-cancer and cancer populations.
However, omission of anthracyclines, even in elderly patients at high risk of toxicity, may be
associated with worse outcomes. Thus, strategies to better predict and prevent anthracycline
cardiotoxicity are needed to improve outcomes in older patients with lymphoma. Small
randomized trials in predominately non-lymphoma populations have identified several promising
strategies to prevent HF in patients receiving anthracyclines; however, neither clinical practice
guidelines nor the FDA endorse any of these therapies due to insufficient evidence for the
prevention of HF in newly diagnosed adults with lymphoma. The objective of this proposal is to
advance the science of anthracycline cardiotoxicity prediction and prevention by: 1) developing
and validating a HF risk prediction model in older individuals with newly diagnosed lymphoma;
2) determining which cardioprotective strategies are currently used in practice and 3)eliciting
treatment preferences for cardioprotection from patients and providers. This research will lead
to improved knowledge of anthracycline cardiotoxicity prevention, provide preliminary data for a
study of cardioprotection in high-risk individuals with lymphoma and provide the candidate with
the necessary skills and experience to become a successful independent investigator.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10818331
- **Project number:** 5K08HL146959-05
- **Recipient organization:** TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Jenica Upshaw
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $31,901
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-04-15 → 2025-01-01

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10818331

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10818331, Prevention of Anthracycline Chemotherapy Cardiotoxicity (5K08HL146959-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10818331. Licensed CC0.

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