Translational Biomarkers of Redox and Inflammatory Stress Predict Cardiovascular Risk in Breast Cancer Chemotherapy

Breast cancer (BC) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and while cytotoxic chemotherapy is essential for disease control, it is frequently accompanied by systemic toxicities that may compromise patient quality of life and long-term outcomes. In this study, we investigated the interplay between metabolic, redox, and inflammatory biomarkers in BC patients undergoing anthracycline- and taxane-based chemotherapy. Our findings revealed a constellation of alterations, including a pro-atherogenic lipid profile with elevated total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-c alongside reduced HDL-c; evidence of oxidative stress characterized by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels with concomitant depletion of glutathione (GSH) and partial compensatory catalase activity; and a chronic low-grade inflammatory state marked by elevated IL-6 and TNF-α. Anthropometric measures further supported this profile, as patients presented higher rates of overweight, obesity, and central adiposity, which may contribute to metabolic and inflammatory imbalance. Together, these findings suggest the presence of a cardiometabolic vulnerability profile in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, reflecting the combined influence of treatment-related and baseline metabolic factors. From a translational perspective, the integration of routinely available biomarkers—lipid fractions, oxidative stress indicators, and inflammatory cytokines may provide a practical framework to characterize this vulnerability. However, given the cross-sectional design and limited sample size, these findings should be interpreted as exploratory and hypothesis-generating. Further prospective studies with larger cohorts and inclusion of cardiovascular endpoints are required to determine the clinical utility of these biomarkers in potential risk assessment and patient management.