Vascular Health and Early Atherosclerosis in Childhood Cancer Survivors: Reassuring Findings From Comprehensive Noninvasive Assessment
Authors' conclusion
Vascular markers of early atherosclerosis did not significantly differ between CCS and controls. Late CCS demonstrated mild vascular alteration compared with early CCS, although not compared with the healthy population.
Study context
- Population
- Childhood cancer survivors treated with anthracyclines (Preventing Cardiac Sequelae in Pediatric Cancer Survivors study)
- Participants
- 206 vs 150
- Exposure
- Childhood cancer survivors vs matched healthy controls
- Childhood cancer survivors (CCS)n = 206
- Controlsn = 150reference
- Outcome
- Early vascular dysfunction (cIMT, cfPWV, carotid stiffness index, carotid distensibility, flow-mediated dilation, endothelial peripheral arterial tone, echocardiography)
Methodological detailsmatched controls
- Matched controls
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Vascular parameters, CCS vs controls
| Group | Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) | Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) | Carotid distensibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCS | 5.5 ± 0.9 m/s | 0.046 ± 0.01 cm | 0.40 ± 0.13 mm/mm Hg |
| Controls | 5.6 ± 0.9 m/s | 0.045 ± 0.01 cm | 0.39 ± 0.14 mm/mm Hg |
Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV)
CCS5.5 ± 0.9 m/s
Controls5.6 ± 0.9 m/s
Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT)
CCS0.046 ± 0.01 cm
Controls0.045 ± 0.01 cm
Carotid distensibility
CCS0.40 ± 0.13 mm/mm Hg
Controls0.39 ± 0.14 mm/mm Hg
- CCS vs Controls: P = 0.940 — cfPWV
- CCS vs Controls: P = 0.790 — cIMT
- CCS vs Controls: P = 0.950 — carotid distensibility
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| Late (≥10 years postdiagnosis) vs early (<10 years) CCSLate CCS vs Early CCS · higher cfPWV | P < 0.001 |
| Late (≥10 years postdiagnosis) vs early (<10 years) CCSLate CCS vs Early CCS · higher cIMT | P = 0.035 |
| Late (≥10 years postdiagnosis) vs early (<10 years) CCSLate CCS vs Early CCS · lower carotid distensibility | P < 0.001 |
Late (≥10 years postdiagnosis) vs early (<10 years) CCS
- Differences not significant vs matched controls
Male gender among CCS
- Negatively associated with carotid distensibility and flow-mediated dilation; positively with cfPWV
Original publication
Vascular Health and Early Atherosclerosis in Childhood Cancer Survivors: Reassuring Findings From Comprehensive Noninvasive Assessment. JACC Adv. Published 26 November 2025. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it