Author:
Thierry-Chef Isabelle,Timmermann Beate,Journy Neige,Bernier Marie-Odile,McNally Richard,Dabin Jérémie,Brualla Lorenzo,Haghdoost Siamak,Sarukhan Adelaida,Haustermans Karin,De Wit Inge,Isebaert Sofie,Lassen-Ramshad Yasmin,Tram Henriksen Louise,Høyer Morten,Toussaint Laura,Boissonnat Guillaume,Thariat Juliette,Demoor-Goldschmidt Charlotte,Haddy Nadia,Bolle Stéphanie,Fresneau Brice,Belhout Amel,Dreger Steffen,Zeeb Hajo,Grazia Andreassi Maria,Campolo Jonica,Picano Eugenio,Jahnen Andreas,Ronckers Cécile,Maduro John H.,Kjaerheim Kristina,Døhlen Gaute,Robsahm Trude Eid,Olerud Hilde M.,Thevathas Utheya Salini,Afroz Susmita,Helge Østerås Bjørn,Schneider Uwe,Walsh Linda,Dumas Agnès,Jackson Angéla,Rage Estelle,De Saint-Hubert Marijke,Hardy Richard,Bäumer Christian,Steinmeier Theresa,Botzenhardt Suzan,Wette Martina,Ortiz Rodney,Chumak Vadim
Abstract
The use of ionising radiation (IR) for medical diagnosis and treatment procedures has had a major impact on the survival of paediatric patients. Although the benefits of these techniques lead to efficient health care, evaluation of potential associated long-term health effects is required. HARMONIC aims to better understand the increased risk of cancer and non-cancer effects after exposure to medical IR in children with cancer treated with modern external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) – radiation energy in MeV range – and in children with cardiac defects diagnosed and treated with cardiac fluoroscopy procedures (CFP) – radiation energy in keV range. The project investigates, among survivors of paediatric cancer, potential endocrine dysfunction, cardiovascular and neurovascular damage, health-related quality of life and second (and subsequent) primary cancer (SPC). The cardiac component builds a pooled cohort of approximately 90 000 paediatric patients who underwent CFP during childhood and adolescence to investigate cancer risk following exposure to IR and explore the potential effects of conditions predisposing to cancer. HARMONIC develops software tools to allow dose reconstruction in both EBRT and CFP to enable epidemiological investigations and future optimisation of treatments. With the creation of a biobank of blood and saliva samples, HARMONIC aims to provide a mechanistic understanding of radiation-induced adverse health effects and identify potential biomarkers that can predict these effects.