Application of systems biology methods to evaluate toxicities in oncology treatments can accelerate the introduction of safe, effective drugs. We are organizing a pilot study to utilize a systems biology approach to elucidate the mechanism(s) of cardiotoxicity of certain targeted chemotherapies. The ultimate goal of the study is to link microarray data of several chosen compounds with their physiological effects in order to begin to identify common mechanisms of toxicity.

The Reagan-Udall Foundation proposes to convene approximately 25 participants – experts from the Federal government, industry, and academia, as well as leaders from foundations and the patient advocacy community to collaboratively further define and begin to design a pilot study.  This workshop will be held on July 22^nd in Washington DC. The purpose of this day-long meeting in the Washington, D.C. area is to take the initial steps of bringing together knowledgeable stakeholders to think through how to better utilize systems biology to improve our understanding of toxicity; to agree upon the most productive next steps; and to determine logistics for setting up the next steps (e.g. a pilot study). 

Materials for preparing for the July 22^nd workshop and subsequent pilot study can be found on this webpage. Any questions may be addressed to Samantha Roberts ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Garcia-Alvarez et al, 2010- Cardiotoxicity of Tyrosine-Kinase-Targeting Drugs

Karaman et al, 2008- A quantitative analysis of kinase inhibitor selectivity

Karaman et al, 2008- supplementary materials

Kerkela et al, 2006- Cardiotoxicity of the cancer therapeutic agent imatinib mesylate

Orphanos et al, 2009- Cardiotoxicity induced by tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Prezioso et al, 2010- Cancer Treatment-Induced Cardiotoxicity: a Cardiac Stem Cell Disease?

Wolf et al (Novartis), 2010- Imatinib does not induce cardiotoxicity at clinically relevant concentrations in preclinical studies

Yang et al, 2010- Kinase inhibition-related adverse events predicted from in vitro kinome and clinical trial data