Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and radiotherapy-induced carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with head and neck cancer

Autor(es)

Pereira, Eduardo B. ^[1] ; Gemignani, Tiago ^[1] ; Sposito, Andrei C. ^[1] ; Matos-Souza, Jose R. ^[1] ; Nadruz, Jr., Wilson ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Fac Ciencias Med, Dept Clin Med, BR-13081970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: RADIATION ONCOLOGY; v. 9, JUN 11 2014.
• Citações Web of Science: 6

Resumo

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) is a risk factor for accelerated carotid artery atherosclerotic disease in subjects with head and neck cancer. However, the risk factors of RT-induced carotid artery remodeling are not established. This study aimed to investigate the effects of RT on carotid and popliteal arteries in subjects with head and neck cancer and to evaluate the relationship between baseline clinical and laboratory features and the progression of RT-induced atherosclerosis. Findings: Eleven men (age = 57.9 +/- 6.2years) with head and neck cancer who underwent cervical bilateral irradiation were prospectively examined by clinical and laboratory analysis and by carotid and popliteal ultrasound before and after treatment (mean interval between the end of RT and the post-RT assessment = 181 +/- 47 days). No studied subject used hypocholesterolemic medications. Significant increases in carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) (0.95 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.87 +/- 0.05 mm; p < 0.0001) and carotid IMT/diameter ratio (0.138 +/- 0.013 vs. 0.129 +/- 0.014; p = 0.001) were observed after RT, while no changes in popliteal structural features were detected. In addition, baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels showed a direct correlation with RT-induced carotid IMT change (r = 0.66; p = 0.027), while no other studied variable exhibited a significant relationship with carotid IMT change. Conclusions: These results indicate that RT-induced atherosclerosis is limited to the irradiated area and also suggest that it may be predicted by low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in subjects with head and neck cancer. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 10/16252-0 - Mecanismos envolvidos no aumento do risco cardiovascular em portadores de lesão da medula espinhal
• Beneficiário: Wilson Nadruz Junior
• Linha de fomento: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular