Short-term Effects of Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy on Heart and Brain Health in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Patients

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the short-term effects of aromatase inhibitor therapy on cardiovascular, metabolic, and behavioral health in women with hormone-positive breast cancer. This study uses a longitudinal case-control design to compare breast cancer survivors starting aromatase inhibitors with age- and BMI-matched women without cancer, aiming to understand how endocrine treatment influences early risk indicators for cardiovascular disease, brain health, body composition, and lifestyle factors during the first six months of treatment. Participants include breast cancer patients beginning aromatase inhibitor therapy and matched controls without cancer. The study observes these groups over six months, measuring cardiovascular function such as aortic stiffness and left ventricular function, cerebrovascular health, cognitive tests, body composition, bone mineral density, and glycemic regulation. Behavioral assessments include diet, physical activity, sleep, stress, and quality of life. Blood biomarkers and responses to glucose tolerance tests are also evaluated. During the study, participants undergo detailed assessments at baseline and after six months, including blood tests, blood pressure, arterial stiffness measurements, heart function imaging, cerebrovascular response tests, cognitive evaluations, continuous glucose monitoring, and questionnaires about lifestyle factors. Researchers track changes in these measures to understand the impact of aromatase inhibitors. The study spans from initial assessment through six months of therapy, comparing results between breast cancer survivors and matched controls to identify treatment-related changes in cardiovascular and brain health.

Short-term Impacts of Endocrine Therapy on Cardiovascular and Brain Health Outcomes in Breast Cancer