What?
The chemotherapy drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer and lymphomas can cause damage to cells of the heart muscle (this is known as cardiotoxicity). A drug called Enalapril may help to prevent this damage.
The aim of the PROACT trial is to establish just how effective Enalapril is in preventing cardiotoxicity caused by chemotherapy drugs.
How?
A minimum of 106 patients who meet the criteria to take part in the trial will be split into two groups. One group will receive usual care while having their chemotherapy. The other group will receive their usual care plus they will be given Enalapril.
Each patient will have a blood test at the end of every cycle of chemotherapy and one month after their last cycle. Each patient will also have an ECG before and after their chemotherapy.
The results of these tests will be used to determine any differences between the two groups.
Watch our short video about the trial
Chief investigator
Dr David Austin.
Current status
This trial is now complete. Chief investigator, Dr David Austin revealed his findings at the American College of Cardiology meeting in Atlanta, USA on Monday 8 April.
Results
The trial found that the blood marker troponin was raised in about 80% of patients and there was no difference between the group that had Enalapril and the group that didn’t.
We don’t think taking Enalapril to prevent damage to the heart caused by chemotherapy should now become part of standard care for these patients.
Even though taking Enalapril does not prevent heart damage, it is not harmful for patients and so those already needing to take it at the same time as their chemotherapy should continue to do so.
Results from the follow up study of longer-term heart scans are expected later this year.
The study was funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research and included a national research team of experts from Newcastle, Durham and Teesside Universities.
Participating sites
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (FT), City Hospitals Sunderland NHS FT, County Durham and Darlington NHS FT, East Kent NHS FT, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS FT, Northumbria Healthcare NHS FT, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT, South Tees Hospitals NHS FT, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS FT, The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS FT, The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS FT, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Royal Berkshire NHS FT.