Key result
Murine radiation cardiotoxicity models show highly variable reporting standards, with only ~31% detailing dosimetry methods.
Why the study?
Murine models have advanced understanding of cardiac radiation response, but a wide range of exposure parameters have been used, warranting an evaluation of study designs to assess literature gaps and guide harmonisation.
Systematic Review (n=159)
Current murine models of radiation cardiotoxicity exhibit significant heterogeneity in study design and reporting, highlighting a need for harmonized reporting guidelines to improve their clinical translatability.
Variable reporting undermines reliability of murine radiation cardiotoxicity models; supports harmonized guidelines to improve translational research.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The effects of radiation on the heart are dependent on dose, fractionation, overall treatment time, and pre-existing cardiovascular pathology. Murine models have played a central role in improving our understanding of the radiation response of the heart yet a wide range of exposure parameters have been used. We evaluated the study design of published murine cardiac irradiation experiments to assess gaps in the literature and to suggest guidance for the harmonisation of future study reporting. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A systematic review of mouse/rat studies published 1981-2021 that examined the effect of radiation on the heart was performed. The protocol was published on PROSPERO (CRD42021238921) and the findings were reported in accordance with the PRISMA guidance. Risk of bias was assessed using the SYRCLE checklist. RESULTS: 159 relevant full-text original articles were reviewed. The heart only was the target volume in 67% of the studies and simulation details were unavailable for 44% studies. Dosimetry methods were reported in 31% studies. The pulmonary effects of whole and partial heart irradiation were reported in 13% studies. Seventy-eight unique dose-fractionation schedules were evaluated. Large heterogeneity was observed in the endpoints measured, and the reporting standards were highly variable. CONCLUSIONS: Current murine models of radiation cardiotoxicity cover a wide range of irradiation configurations and latency periods. There is a lack of evidence describing clinically relevant dose-fractionations, circulating biomarkers and radioprotectants. Recommendations for the consistent reporting of methods and results of in vivo cardiac irradiation studies are made to increase their suitability for informing the design of clinical studies.
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Walls et al. (2022) conducted a systematic review in Radiation cardiotoxicity (n=159). Cardiac irradiation was evaluated on Study design, exposure parameters, and reporting standards. Murine models of radiation cardiotoxicity exhibit highly variable reporting standards across 159 studies, with dosimetry methods reported in only 31% and simulation details unavailable in 44%.
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