New research led by UCLA Health suggests that certain cardiac biomarkers can strongly predict cancer risk, even in individuals without heart disease. The study may transform both cardiovascular and cancer risk prediction strategies.
A new study led by researchers at UCLA Health may redefine the way we understand the relationship between cardiovascular health and cancer risk. The groundbreaking research reveals that certain cardiac blood markers can predict future cancer risk, even in individuals with no history or symptoms of heart disease.
Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Advances, the study focuses on two cardiac biomarkers: high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).
The researchers found small elevations of these biomarkers to be strong and independent predictors of overall cancer risk.
Elevated levels of hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP were linked to a higher incidence of colorectal cancer, while NT-proBNP alone was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.
“These biomarkers are already well-known indicators of cardiovascular risk, but our findings suggest their predictive power may reach well beyond heart disease to encompass cancer risk too,” lead author Xinjiang Cai, a UCLA Health cardiologist and physician-scientist, said in a news release. “The idea that slight elevations of heart-related blood markers might also help flag cancer risk in people with no known heart problems highlights how interconnected cardiovascular health and cancer may be, beyond just their shared common risk factors.”
The study analyzed data from 6,244 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), a prospective cohort study of adults aged 45 to 84 years who were free of cardiovascular disease and cancer between 2000 and 2002.
Participants were tracked for a median of 17.8 years, with cancer incidents recorded through hospitalization records.
By measuring participants’ baseline levels of hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP, the researchers examined the association between these biomarkers and subsequent cancer risk.
The findings showed that even slight increases in these biomarkers could serve as early indicators of cancer, potentially offering a new strategy in the fight against the disease.
“These findings can help bridge the knowledge gap at the intersection of preventive cardiology and oncology and can lead to better risk prediction and prevention strategies for both diseases,” Cai added.
The collaborative study included experts from the University of Washington, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, and the Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
Source: UCLA Health