Cardiac Blood Markers Can Strongly Predict Future Cancer Risk

Cancer and heart disease are traditionally treated as separate conditions, but new research suggests they may be more closely linked than previously believed. In a major discovery, scientists have found that specific cardiac blood markers—typically used to assess heart health—can strongly predict future cancer risk, even in individuals with no symptoms or history of cardiovascular disease. This insight could pave the way for improved risk assessment tools that help detect cancer earlier in seemingly healthy people.

The findings come from a large-scale study conducted by UCLA Health (Los Angeles, CA, USA) using data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), a long-term prospective cohort study involving 6,244 adults aged 45 to 84 years. At the time of enrollment, participants had no known cardiovascular disease or cancer. Researchers followed these individuals over a median of 17.8 years and tracked cancer occurrences using hospitalization records. The team focused on two cardiac biomarkers—high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)—which are often measured in cardiology to detect heart injury and stress. Blood samples collected at baseline were analyzed to assess the levels of these markers, and researchers examined their relationship with subsequent cancer diagnoses. The study, published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Advances, showed that even small increases in hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP levels were strong, independent predictors of overall cancer risk.

Elevated levels of both markers were particularly associated with a higher likelihood of developing colorectal cancer. Additionally, NT-proBNP alone was linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. These associations held true even after adjusting for traditional risk factors such as age and lifestyle. The practical implication of this research is significant. By incorporating cardiac biomarker testing into routine health screenings, clinicians may be able to identify individuals at heightened risk for certain cancers, even before symptoms appear. This early identification could allow for earlier interventions, closer monitoring, and potentially better outcomes for patients. Overall, this study offers a novel perspective on how heart-related diagnostics can inform cancer risk, reinforcing the potential for more integrated and preventive approaches to managing two of the world’s deadliest diseases.

“These biomarkers are already well-known indicators of cardiovascular risk, but our findings suggest their predictive power may reach well beyond heart disease to encompass cancer risk too,” said Dr. Xinjiang Cai, a UCLA Health cardiologist and physician-scientist, and lead author of the study. “The idea that slight elevations of heart-related blood markers might also help flag cancer risk in people with no known heart problems highlights how interconnected cardiovascular health and cancer may be, beyond just their shared common risk factors.”