Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity: It Is Possible to Teach an Old Dog Some New Tricks

Abstract

Anthracyclines have proved to be one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of numerous solid tumors and hematologic malignancies in both adult and pediatric patients. Their clinical benefit, however, is sometimes hampered by the development of cardiotoxicity, a process that still remains elusive despite decades of investigation. It has been postulated that anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is mediated in part by reactive oxygen species and redox cycling. This article reviews anthracycline cardiotoxicity in terms of historical significance, epidemiology, current detection strategies, prevention strategies, and patient care after anthracycline-based chemotherapy.

Keywords: Anthracycline cardiotoxicity; Cardioprotection; Chemotherapeutic agents; Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).