title: Paclitaxel-induced cardiotoxicity. An ultrastructural study.
abstract: The ultrastructural appearance of the myocardium in a fatal case of paclitaxel-induced cardiotoxicity is reported, which includes swelling of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, loss of myofibrils, and accumulation of lipofuscin as well as laminated myelinoid figures. Such changes are very similar to those seen in anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and may suggest a pathogenetic final common pathway. While endomyocardial biopsy is a recognized means of monitoring anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity, whether more liberal use of endomyocardial biopsy can prevent fatal cases of paclitaxel-induced cardiotoxicity needs to be further assessed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Shek
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Luk
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Cheung
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000188:drug therapy; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017239:Paclitaxel