NCSS report of the Cardiotoxicity Biomarker EWG

NCSS report of the Cardiotoxicity Biomarker EWG

-November 13, 2001-

Progress since last report to the NCSS July, 2001:

The EWG met in Rockville, MD on Oct 12, 2001 to discuss evidence regarding the troponins and to plan objectives and logistics for the American College of Toxicology symposium.

The EWG met all day November 6 at the Renaissance Hotel, Washington, DC

- Morning EWG meeting to finalize criteria of an "ideal" biomarker of drug-induced cardiotoxicity and to establish objectives and plans for the symposium.

- Afternoon symposium with open discussion and solicitation of imput from audience regarding troponins as biomarkers of drug-induced cardiotoxicity.

- Evening EWG meeting to agree on conclusions from symposium and decide next steps.

Near future plans:

The EWG is currently drafting a position paper regarding the use of cardiac troponins T and/or I as biomarkers of drug-induced cardiac injury, wherein a treatment-associated increase in circulating troponin should be considered and indication of treatment-related myocardial cell injury.

The EWG is currently drafting the design of a definitive experiment determine whether a quantitative correlation exists between the magnitude of increase in circulating troponin and the extent of cardiac histopathology.

The EWG is currently gathering and evaluating evidence regarding other small molecules and proteins that have been suggested to reflect drug-induced or ischemia-related cardiac injury.