UCLA Study Reveals Heart Proteins as Early Cancer Predictors

A recent study led by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has uncovered compelling evidence that two heart proteins, traditionally associated with cardiovascular health, may also serve as early indicators of cancer, potentially years before symptoms arise. The research, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Advances on June 22, 2025, highlights the predictive power of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in the context of cancer risk.

According to Dr. Xinjiang Cai, a cardiologist at UCLA Health and the lead author of the study, “These biomarkers are already well-known indicators of cardiovascular risk, but our findings suggest their predictive power may reach well beyond heart disease.” The study followed 6,244 adults over a median span of 17.8 years, monitoring their blood levels of these proteins and tracking cancer diagnoses.

The data revealed that participants with elevated troponin levels—above 8.8 nanograms per liter—developed nearly three times more cancers than those with lower levels. Similarly, individuals with NT-proBNP readings exceeding 102.9 nanograms per liter were found to have double the incidence of cancer compared to those in the lowest quartile. These findings are significant as they suggest a biological connection between heart stress and cancer development.

The overlapping biological mechanisms that link heart health and cancer risk are rooted in inflammation and vascular stress. Both cardiac markers increase in response to age, smoking, diabetes, and obesity, all of which are established risk factors for both heart disease and various cancers.

Previous studies, including the Dutch PREVEND trial, have hinted at a relationship between these biomarkers and later cancer diagnoses; however, results have been mixed. Dr. Cai's research offers fresh insights, showing consistent trends across diverse ethnic groups, including Black, Hispanic, Asian, and White participants. This suggests that the predictive relationship may be robust across demographics.

Yet, the study also notes limitations, such as the reliance on hospital records for cancer diagnoses, which may result in missed cases. Shared risk factors like tobacco use and obesity could also skew results. Despite these challenges, the independent associations found between elevated heart protein levels and cancer incidence suggest a deeper biological link that warrants further investigation.

Dr. Robert Schwartz, an oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic, emphasizes the potential implications of these findings for cancer screening protocols. He states, “Integrating these cardiac biomarkers into risk assessment algorithms could enhance our ability to identify individuals at high risk for certain cancers, allowing for earlier interventions.”

Looking forward, the research team plans to collaborate with European cohorts to validate their findings on an international scale. They are also exploring whether lifestyle interventions that target heart health could potentially reduce cancer risk, an area that could open new avenues for both cardiovascular and oncological care.

In summary, this groundbreaking study from UCLA suggests that monitoring heart proteins could not only aid in cardiovascular assessments but also serve as a dual-purpose tool in predicting cancer risk, potentially transforming how healthcare providers approach patient evaluations in the future.