Cardiac Remodeling in the Absence of Cardiac Contractile Dysfunction Is Sufficient to Promote Cancer Progression

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Translational Medicine

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases and cancer are leading global causes of mortality.
• High co-prevalence and mutual influence on outcomes exist between these diseases.
• The impact of cardiac remodeling without contractile dysfunction on cancer progression is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if mild cardiac remodeling, independent of cardiac dysfunction, promotes tumor growth.
• To explore the mechanisms by which cardiac changes might influence cancer progression.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a mouse model with low-dose phenylephrine (PE) infusion to induce mild cardiac remodeling.
• Implanted polyoma middle T (PyMT) breast cancer cells into the mammary fat pad of PE-infused mice.
• Assessed cardiac function via echocardiography and analyzed tumor growth, cell proliferation, and serum factors (ELISA, gene expression).

Main Results:

• PE infusion induced cardiac remodeling (hypertrophy, fibrosis) without impairing cardiac function.
• Tumors in PE-infused mice showed significantly larger growth and increased cell proliferation.
• Serum from PE-infused mice enhanced cancer cell proliferation in vitro.
• Elevated levels of cardiac- and tumor-secreted factors (periostin, fibronectin, CTGF) were found in PE-infused mice.

Conclusions:

• Mild cardiac remodeling, even without functional decline, can promote cancer progression.
• Cardiac and tumor-secreted factors play a role in this interaction.
• Early detection and treatment of hypertension are crucial for improving outcomes in cancer patients.