Research team
Expertise
My research focusses primarily on understanding the mechanisms involved in cardiovascular disease, primarily in cancer survivors and the normal ageing process. For this purpose, we use a wide range of murine models in which cardiovascular function is evaluated in vivo with echocardipgraphy and ex vivo using in-house developed organ bath set-ups.
The investigation of arterial stiffness as a potential marker in cardio-oncology.
Abstract
Anthracyclines (such as doxorubicin, DOX) are among the most effective chemotherapeutics and are widely used in modern cancer treatment despite the advent of targeted therapies. However, dosedependent cardiotoxicity limits the clinical use of DOX. It is well documented that DOX may provoke cardiotoxicity leading to left ventricular dysfunction and eventually congestive heart failure. Recent studies have reported that anthracyclines also interfere with arterial stiffness, an overall measure of vascular health. However, it is unclear whether vascular toxicity occurs through the same mechanisms and pathways as the cardiac toxicity. Moreover, the clinical implications of increased arterial stiffness due to DOX, either as contributing mechanism to cardiotoxicity or as early marker of accelerated cardiovascular aging in (childhood) cancer survivors is incompletely understood. The current research proposal aims to shed light on the mechanisms and clinical relevance of DOX-induced vascular toxicity by pursuing a translational experimental research approach.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Guns Pieter-Jan
- Fellow: Bosman Matthias
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project