Cardiomyopathy in Childhood Cancer Survivors: Lessons from the Past and Challenges for the Future

Childhood cancer survivors are at substantial risk for cancer treatment-related cardiomyopathy. Identification of those at highest risk has presented a longstanding challenge for survivorship researchers. To date, risk stratification approaches to screening and subsequent intervention have largely been driven by demographic and treatment-related exposures, possibly missing an opportunity for a more personalized approach. A growing body of literature suggests associations between cardiomyopathy and a number of genetic and acquired risk factors, supporting a need to incorporate these data into existing surveillance and intervention approaches. Efforts to reduce or eliminate modifiable cardiovascular risk factors are needed; however, the impact of these modifications remains to be seen. Moreover, challenges surrounding identification of effective cardiomyopathy treatment strategies in cancer survivors are ongoing. Despite these uncertainties, more accurate identification of those at highest risk and implementation of early and effective interventions for those with disease will lead to improved outcomes for childhood cancer survivors.