Title:Pharmaceutical Measures to Prevent Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity
Volume: 17
Issue: 1
Author(s): Hao Liu, Haiyan Wang, Dingcheng Xiang and Wangang Guo
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Cardiotoxicity, doxorubicin, RNA-binding protein Quaking, statins.
Abstract: Introduction: The anthracycline doxorubicin (DOX) has proved to be one of the most widely
used and most effective antitumor drugs since its emergence in the 1960s. However, the utility of DOX
is compromised by its potential lethal cardiotoxicity. In this review we summarize development in
prevention and management of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity comprehensively.
Background: Strategies to enhance DOX efficacy in cancer cells while minimizing associated
cardiotoxicity may prove clinically valuable. Employment of DOX derivatives, including currently
available mitoxantrone and epirubicin, has been testified in several clinical trials. Several
cardioprotective agents, including dexrazoxane, statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors,
calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, and etc., have been developed and tested in animal and clinical
trials.
Conclusion: Several strategies have been reported on the prevention and management of DOX-elicited
cardiotoxicity, and many of them await verification from large scale clinical trials. Dexrazoxane has
been approved to prevent and treat side effects of DOX, although concerns still exist that it might
increase incidence of some kind of malignant tumors. Promising findings in autophagy, RNA binding
protein quaking and statins encourage further research developing strategies by which heart protection
and cancer cell killing are achieved simutaneously.
