Effect of selenium supplemantation on anthracycline-induced cardiac toxicity in children treated for cancer: Correlation with pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels.

9570 Background: Anthracyclins (Anth) are used in several treatment protocols of children with cancer. Pro-brain natriuretic peptit (Pro-BNP) is relased by cardiac cells and elevated even before overt cardiac distress symptoms. Selenium (Se), is an antioxidant whose absence cause cardiomyopathy in people living in the poor selenium soil area. Aim: 1. Assesment of Anth-induced cardiotoxicity with Pro-BNP levels, correlated with echo-cardiographic (ECHO) findings. 2. Determine possible effects of serum selenium levels (s-Se) and supplemantation (spp) on cardiac toxicity. Methods: Plasma levels of Pro-BNP measured and ECHO has been performed in 67 pediatric cancer patients after completed their Anth containing regimens. s-Se examined in 37 patients (pts). Results: Eleven pts found with high Pro BNP levels (H-Pro BNP) ± cardiac failure (CF) (median(M):226,3 pg/ml.; normal level: lower than 120 pg/ml). Fifty-six pts found with normal Pro-BNP levels (N-Pro-BNP) (8,2-119,6 pg/ml, M: 32,4 pg/ml). Difference betwe...