N terminal pro B type natriuretic peptide in oncological patients

N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a well established biomarker for cardiac function. It is already known that NT-proBNP can be synthesized by neoplasic cells and also its serum levels can be elevated due to the effect of chemotherapy on the myocardium (ex anthraciclines).

The aim of our study was to determine if there is any connection between NT-proBNP levels and the severity of neoplastic disease.

We included in our study 93 patients with neoplastic disease without a known history of cardiovascular disease or any symptoms suggestive for that. We determined NT-proBNP levels before initiation of any oncological therapy and 1 month after therapy.

The mean values of NT-proBNP at first determination were 345±56 pg/ml and at second one 833±64 pg/ml. In the first determination we found a number of 19 (20,43%) patients with elevated NT-proBNP levels while at the second one there were 43 (46,26%) patients. We established that elevated NT-proBNP levels were associated with older age and more severe neoplastic disease (with metastatic extension), and also with type of oncologic treatment and location of tumour.

Our data suggest that NT-proBNP levels are associated with the severity of the oncological disease in patients without clinically manifest cardiovascular disease.