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Kouwenberg TW, van Dalen EC, Feijen EAM, Netea SA, Bolier M, Slieker MG, Hoesein FAAM, Kremer LCM, Grotenhuis HB, Mavinkurve-Groothuis AMC. Acute and early-onset cardiotoxicity in children and adolescents with cancer: a systematic review. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:866. [PMID: 37710224 PMCID: PMC10500898 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11353-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiotoxicity is among the most important adverse effects of childhood cancer treatment. Anthracyclines, mitoxantrone and radiotherapy involving the heart are its main causes. Subclinical cardiac dysfunction may over time progress to clinical heart failure. The majority of previous studies have focused on late-onset cardiotoxicity. In this systematic review, we discuss the prevalence and risk factors for acute and early-onset cardiotoxicity in children and adolescents with cancer treated with anthracyclines, mitoxantrone or radiotherapy involving the heart. METHODS A literature search was performed within PubMed and reference lists of relevant studies. Studies were eligible if they reported on cardiotoxicity measured by clinical, echocardiographic and biochemical parameters routinely used in clinical practice during or within one year after the start of cancer treatment in ≥ 25 children and adolescents with cancer. Information about study population, treatment, outcomes of diagnostic tests used for cardiotoxicity assessment and risk factors was extracted and risk of bias was assessed. RESULTS Our PubMed search yielded 3649 unique publications, 44 of which fulfilled the inclusion criteria. One additional study was identified by scanning the reference lists of relevant studies. In these 45 studies, acute and early-onset cardiotoxicity was studied in 7797 children and adolescents. Definitions of acute and early-onset cardiotoxicity prove to be highly heterogeneous. Prevalence rates varied for different cardiotoxicity definitions: systolic dysfunction (0.0-56.4%), diastolic dysfunction (30.0-100%), combinations of echocardiography and/or clinical parameters (0.0-38.1%), clinical symptoms (0.0-25.5%) and biomarker levels (0.0-37.5%). Shortening fraction and ejection fraction significantly decreased during treatment. Cumulative anthracycline dose proves to be an important risk factor. CONCLUSIONS Various definitions have been used to describe acute and early-onset cardiotoxicity due to childhood cancer treatment, complicating the establishment of its exact prevalence. Our findings underscore the importance of uniform international guidelines for the monitoring of cardiac function during and shortly after childhood cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodorus W Kouwenberg
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Elvira C van Dalen
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth A M Feijen
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Stejara A Netea
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Melissa Bolier
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn G Slieker
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Leontien C M Kremer
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Heynric B Grotenhuis
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in childhood cancer survivors is a growing problem. The population of patients at risk for cardiovascular disease is steadily increasing, as five-year survival rates for all types of childhood cancers continue to improve. Doxorubicin affects the developing heart differently from the adult heart and in a subset of exposed patients, childhood exposure leads to late, irreversible cardiomyopathy. Notably, the prevalence of late-onset toxicity is increasing in parallel with improved survival. By the year 2020, it is estimated that there will be 500,000 childhood cancer survivors and over 50,000 of them will suffer from doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. The majority of the research to-date, concentrated on childhood cancer survivors, has focused mostly on clinical outcomes through well-designed epidemiological and retrospective cohort studies. Preclinical studies have elucidated many of the cellular mechanisms that elicit acute toxicity in cardiomyocytes. However, more research is needed in the areas of early- and late-onset cardiotoxicity and more importantly improving the scientific understanding of how other cells present in the cardiac milieu are impacted by doxorubicin exposure. The overall goal of this review is to succinctly summarize the major clinical and preclinical studies focused on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. As the prevalence of patients affected by doxorubicin exposure continues to increase, it is imperative that the major gaps in existing research are identified and subsequently utilized to develop appropriate research priorities for the coming years. Well-designed preclinical research models will enhance our understanding of the pathophysiology of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and directly lead to better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. © 2019 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 9:905-931, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevi R Mancilla
- University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Brian Iskra
- University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Gregory J Aune
- University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Liu X, Fundora KA, Zhou Z, Miller AL, Lu L. Composite Hydrogel Embedded with Porous Microspheres for Long-Term pH-Sensitive Drug Delivery. Tissue Eng Part A 2019; 25:172-182. [PMID: 30152721 PMCID: PMC6388718 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2018.0071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPACT STATEMENT A composite hydrogel embedded with porous microspheres fabricated by phase separation methods was developed and showed excellent long-term anticancer drug delivery capability to cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xifeng Liu
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Kevin A. Fundora
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Zifei Zhou
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Alan Lee Miller
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Lichun Lu
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
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Systematic Literature Review on the Incidence and Prevalence of Heart Failure in Children and Adolescents. Pediatr Cardiol 2018; 39:415-436. [PMID: 29260263 PMCID: PMC5829104 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-017-1787-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
While the epidemiology of adult heart failure has been extensively researched, this systematic review addresses the less well characterized incidence and prevalence of pediatric HF. The search strategy used Cochrane methodology and identified 83 unique studies for inclusion. Studies were categorized according to whether the HF diagnosis was reported as primary (n = 10); associated with other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) (n = 49); or associated with non-CVDs (n = 24). A narrative synthesis of the evidence is presented. For primary HF, the incidence ranged from 0.87/100,000 (UK and Ireland) to 7.4/100,000 (Taiwan). A prevalence of 83.3/100,000 was reported in one large population-based study from Spain. HF etiology varied across regions with lower respiratory tract infections and severe anemia predominating in lower income countries, and cardiomyopathies and congenital heart disease major causes in higher income countries. Key findings for the other categories included a prevalence of HF associated with cardiomyopathies ranging from 36.1% (Japan) to 79% (US); associated with congenital heart disease from 8% (Norway) to 82.2% (Nigeria); associated with rheumatic heart diseases from 1.5% (Turkey) to 74% (Zimbabwe); associated with renal disorders from 3.8% (India) to 24.1% (Nigeria); and associated with HIV from 1% (US) to 29.3% (Brazil). To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review of the topic and strengthens current knowledge of pediatric HF epidemiology. Although a large body of research was identified, heterogeneity in study design and diagnostic criteria limited the ability to compare regional data. Standardized definitions of pediatric HF are required to facilitate cross-regional comparisons of epidemiological data.
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van Dalen EC, van der Pal HJH, Kremer LCM. Different dosage schedules for reducing cardiotoxicity in people with cancer receiving anthracycline chemotherapy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016; 3:CD005008. [PMID: 26938118 PMCID: PMC6457744 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd005008.pub4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This review update has been managed by both the Childhood Cancer and Cochrane Gynaecological, Neuro-oncology and Orphan Cancer Groups.The use of anthracycline chemotherapy is limited by the occurrence of cardiotoxicity. To prevent this cardiotoxicity, different anthracycline dosage schedules have been studied. OBJECTIVES To determine the occurrence of cardiotoxicity with the use of different anthracycline dosage schedules (that is peak doses and infusion durations) in people with cancer. SEARCH METHODS We searched the databases of the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (the Cochrane Library, Issue 11, 2015), MEDLINE (1966 to December 2015), and EMBASE (1980 to December 2015). We also searched reference lists of relevant articles, conference proceedings, experts in the field, and ongoing trials databases. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which different anthracycline dosage schedules were compared in people with cancer (children and adults). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently performed the study selection, the 'Risk of bias' assessment, and data extraction. We performed analyses according to the guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. MAIN RESULTS We identified 11 studies: 7 evaluated different infusion durations (803 participants), and 4 evaluated different peak doses (5280 participants). Seven studies were RCTs addressing different anthracycline infusion durations; we identified long-term follow-up data for one of the trials in this update. The meta-analysis showed a statistically significant lower rate of clinical heart failure with an infusion duration of six hours or longer as compared to a shorter infusion duration (risk ratio (RR) 0.27; 95% confidence interval 0.09 to 0.81; 5 studies; 557 participants). The majority of participants included in these studies were adults with different solid tumours. For different anthracycline peak doses, we identified two RCTs addressing a doxorubicin peak dose of less than 60 mg/m(2) versus 60 mg/m(2) or more, one RCT addressing a liposomal doxorubicin peak dose of 25 mg/m(2) versus 50 mg/m(2), and one RCT addressing an epirubicin peak dose of 83 mg/m(2) versus 110 mg/m(2). A significant difference in the occurrence of clinical heart failure was identified in none of the studies. The participants included in these studies were adults with different solid tumours. High or unclear 'Risk of bias' issues were present in all studies. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS An anthracycline infusion duration of six hours or longer reduces the risk of clinical heart failure, and it seems to reduce the risk of subclinical cardiac damage. Since there is only a small amount of data for children and data obtained in adults cannot be extrapolated to children, different anthracycline infusion durations should be evaluated further in children.We identified no significant difference in the occurrence of clinical heart failure in participants treated with a doxorubicin peak dose of less than 60 mg/m(2) or 60 mg/m(2) or more. Only one RCT was available for the other identified peak doses, so we can make no definitive conclusions about the occurrence of cardiotoxicity. More high-quality research is needed, both in children and adults and in leukaemias and solid tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira C van Dalen
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Emma Children's Hospital/Academic Medical Center, PO Box 22660 (room TKsO-247), Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1100 DD
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Mina A, Rafei H, Khalil M, Hassoun Y, Nasser Z, Tfayli A. Role of baseline echocardiography prior to initiation of anthracycline-based chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:10. [PMID: 25605569 PMCID: PMC4311428 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-014-1004-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Anthracycline adjuvant therapy has taken a particular role in the treatment of early stage breast cancer with an associated decrease in rates of both relapse and death. Their success however has been limited by their myelosuppression and their well-established risk of cardiac dysfunction. Guidelines have emerged that would limit the maximum lifetime dose of anthracyclines and make a baseline assessment and periodic monitoring of cardiac function part of the routine practice, which could be cumbersome, and may condemn the patient to an unwarranted modification of his/her regimen. Our study aimed at assessing the incidence of abnormal baseline echocardiography in asymptomatic women with breast cancer prior to anthracycline therapy and establishing risk criteria associated with abnormal echocardiograms at baseline. Methods 220 Patients seen at AUBMC (American University of Beirut Medical Center) who had non- metastatic breast cancer, and had an echocardiography performed before starting anthracycline chemotherapy were chosen. Data about demographic characteristics, tumor characteristics, baseline echocardiography results, and change in clinical decision was collected. Patients with suboptimal (less than 50%) ejection fraction (EF) on baseline echocardiography were analyzed for the prevalence of cardiac risk factors. Results were compared to those among the overall study group using Fisher’s Exact test. A p- value of = < 0.05 was used as reference for statistical significance. Results All 220 of our patients had received a baseline echo prior to initiation of anthracycline therapy. 6.7% of these patients had already some abnormality in wall motion but only 2.7% had a suboptimal ejection fraction. 1.3% had a change in chemotherapy regimen based on ejection fraction. The patients with depressed EF had higher rates of CAD (coronary artery disease), diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia than the overall study group but without statistical significance. Conclusions Our study, as well as the previous contingent studies raise the question about routine echocardiography prior to anthracycline therapy and might eventually lead to a modification of current practice guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Mina
- American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Hind Rafei
- American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Maya Khalil
- Department of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine Resident-University of Miami Miller School of Medicine-Palm Beach Regional Campus, Miami, USA.
| | - Yasmine Hassoun
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Zeina Nasser
- Faculty of Public Health, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Arafat Tfayli
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
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Lindsey ML, Lange RA, Parsons H, Andrews T, Aune GJ. The tell-tale heart: molecular and cellular responses to childhood anthracycline exposure. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2014; 307:H1379-89. [PMID: 25217655 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00099.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Since the modern era of cancer chemotherapy that began in the mid-1940s, survival rates for children afflicted with cancer have steadily improved from 10% to current rates that approach 80% (60). Unfortunately, many long-term survivors of pediatric cancer develop chemotherapy-related health effects; 25% are afflicted with a severe or life-threatening medical condition, with cardiovascular disease being a primary risk (96). Childhood cancer survivors have markedly elevated incidences of stroke, congestive heart failure (CHF), coronary artery disease, and valvular disease (96). Their cardiac mortality is 8.2 times higher than expected (93). Anthracyclines are a key component of most curative chemotherapeutic regimens used in pediatric cancer, and approximately half of all childhood cancer patients are exposed to them (78). Numerous epidemiologic and observational studies have linked childhood anthracycline exposure to an increased risk of developing cardiomyopathy and CHF, often decades after treatment. The acute toxic effects of anthracyclines on cardiomyocytes are well described; however, myocardial tissue is comprised of additional resident cell types, and events occurring in the cardiomyocyte do not fully explain the pathological processes leading to late cardiomyopathy and CHF. This review will summarize the current literature regarding the cellular and molecular responses to anthracyclines, with an important emphasis on nonmyocyte cardiac cell types as well as those that mediate the myocardial injury response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merry L Lindsey
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, San Antonio Cardiovascular Proteomics Center and Jackson Center for Heart Research, Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Richard A Lange
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, San Antonio Cardiovascular Proteomics Center, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Helen Parsons
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas; and
| | - Thomas Andrews
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Gregory J Aune
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
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Lipshultz SE, Miller TL, Lipsitz SR, Neuberg DS, Dahlberg SE, Colan SD, Silverman LB, Henkel JM, Franco VI, Cushman LL, Asselin BL, Clavell LA, Athale U, Michon B, Laverdière C, Schorin MA, Larsen E, Usmani N, Sallan SE. Continuous Versus Bolus Infusion of Doxorubicin in Children With ALL: Long-term Cardiac Outcomes. Pediatrics 2012; 130:1003-11. [PMID: 23166343 PMCID: PMC3507254 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2012-0727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Doxorubicin, effective against many malignancies, is limited by cardiotoxicity. Continuous-infusion doxorubicin, compared with bolus-infusion, reduces early cardiotoxicity in adults. Its effectiveness in reducing late cardiotoxicity in children remains uncertain. We determined continuous-infusion doxorubicin cardioprotective efficacy in long-term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). METHODS The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ALL Consortium Protocol 91-01 enrolled pediatric patients between 1991 and 1995. Newly diagnosed high-risk patients were randomly assigned to receive a total of 360 mg/m(2) of doxorubicin in 30 mg/m(2) doses every 3 weeks, by either continuous (over 48 hours) or bolus-infusion (within 15 minutes). Echocardiograms at baseline, during, and after doxorubicin therapy were blindly remeasured centrally. Primary outcomes were late left ventricular (LV) structure and function. RESULTS A total of 102 children were randomized to each treatment group. We analyzed 484 serial echocardiograms from 92 patients (n = 49 continuous; n = 43 bolus) with ≥1 echocardiogram ≥3 years after assignment. Both groups had similar demographics and normal baseline LV characteristics. Cardiac follow-up after randomization (median, 8 years) showed changes from baseline within the randomized groups (depressed systolic function, systolic dilation, reduced wall thickness, and reduced mass) at 3, 6, and 8 years; there were no statistically significant differences between randomized groups. Ten-year ALL event-free survival rates did not differ between the 2 groups (continuous-infusion, 83% versus bolus-infusion, 78%; P = .24). CONCLUSIONS In survivors of childhood high-risk ALL, continuous-infusion doxorubicin, compared with bolus-infusion, provided no long-term cardioprotection or improvement in ALL event-free survival, hence provided no benefit over bolus-infusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven E Lipshultz
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33101.
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Danesi R, Fogli S, Gennari A, Conte P, Del Tacca M. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships of the anthracycline anticancer drugs. Clin Pharmacokinet 2002; 41:431-44. [PMID: 12074691 DOI: 10.2165/00003088-200241060-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The anthracycline glycoside antibiotics represent a group of potent anticancer agents with a wide spectrum of activity against solid tumours and haematological malignancies, and are the mainstay of a large number of clinical protocols for the treatment of adult and childhood neoplastic diseases. Their clinical activity is limited, however, by acute and chronic adverse effects. Myelosuppression, predominantly neutropenia and leucopenia, is the dose-limiting toxicity; in addition to this, mucositis, nausea, vomiting and alopecia are frequent, whereas hepatopathy, characterised by elevated bilirubin concentrations, occurs less frequently. Cardiotoxicity is a major adverse effect of the anthracycline antibiotics and can be acute or chronic; in the acute setting, electrocardiographic abnormalities may be seen, including ST-T elevations and arrhythmias, but chronic cardiotoxicity represents a serious adverse effect that may be lethal due to the development of irreversible, cumulative dose-dependent, congestive cardiomyopathy. The occurrence of toxicity displays a marked interindividual variation, and for this reason the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anthracyclines have been extensively investigated in order to identify integrated models that can be used in the clinical setting to prevent the development of serious toxicity, mainly leucopenia, and maximise tumour exposure. Pharmacokinetics has been recognised to influence both the toxicity and the activity of anthracyclines; in particular, there is increasing evidence that the mode of administration plays an important role for cumulative cardiotoxicity and data indicate that bolus administration, rather than continuous infusion, appears to be an important risk factor for anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy, thus implying that this type of toxicity is maximum concentration-dependent. On the contrary, exposure to the drug, as measured by area under the curve, seems best related to the occurrence of leucopenia. Finally, the development of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic models allows the simulation of drug effects and ultimately dose optimisation in order to anticipate important toxicities and prevent their occurrence by the administration of prophylactic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Danesi
- Division of Pharmacology and Chemotherapy, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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