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Anthracycline cardiotoxicity: an update on mechanisms, monitoring and prevention
  1. Peter A Henriksen
  1. Correspondence to Dr Peter A Henriksen, Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 5SA, UK; phenrik1{at}staffmail.ed.ac.uk

Abstract

Anthracycline chemotherapy causes dose-related cardiomyocyte injury and death leading to left ventricular dysfunction. Clinical heart failure may ensue in up to 5% of high-risk patients. Improved cancer survival together with better awareness of the late effects of cardiotoxicity has led to growing recognition of the need for surveillance of anthracycline-treated cancer survivors with early intervention to treat or prevent heart failure. The main mechanism of anthracycline cardiotoxicity is now thought to be through inhibition of topoisomerase 2β resulting in activation of cell death pathways and inhibition of mitochondrial biogenesis. In addition to cumulative anthracycline dose, age and pre-existing cardiac disease are risk markers for cardiotoxicity. Genetic susceptibility factors will help identify susceptible patients in the future. Cardiac imaging with echocardiographic measurement of global longitudinal strain and cardiac troponin detect early myocardial injury prior to the development of left ventricular dysfunction. There is no consensus on how best to monitor anthracycline cardiotoxicity although guidelines advocate quantification of left ventricular ejection fraction before and after chemotherapy with additional scanning being justified in high-risk patients. Patients developing significant left ventricular dysfunction with or without clinical heart failure should be treated according to established guidelines. Liposomal encapsulation reduces anthracycline cardiotoxicity. Dexrazoxane administration with anthracycline interferes with binding to topoisomerase 2β and reduces both cardiotoxicity and subsequent heart failure in high-risk patients. Angiotensin inhibition and β-blockade are also protective and appear to prevent the development of left ventricular dysfunction when given prior or during chemotherapy in patients exhibiting early signs of cardiotoxicity.

  • echocardiography
  • advanced cardiac imaging
  • myocardial disease
  • epidemiology

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Footnotes

  • Contributors PAH wrote the article.

  • Funding The EME Programme is funded by the MRC and NIHR, with contributions from the CSO in Scotland and NISCHR in Wales and the HSC R&D Division, Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland.

  • Disclaimer The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of the MRC, NHS, NIHR or the Department of Health.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Commissioned; externally peer reviewed.