Endothelin-1 and 5-fluorouracil-induced cardiotoxicity.
Cardiotoxicity is an uncommon side-effect of 5-FU-based chemotherapy. Coronary artery vasospasms have been postulated to be involved in the pathogenesis of this rare but serious problem. We found high plasma levels of ET-1, a potent natural vasoconstrictor, in two patients who experienced two of the commonest clinical manifestations of 5-FU-induced cardiac toxicity--i.e., angina pectoris and chronic heart failure. We, therefore, propose ET-1 as the ultimate mediator of this toxicity, even though the mechanism of ET-1 increase in peripheral venous blood is still unknown. Finally, another important question still remains unresolved: is the release of ET-1 from normal coronary endothelial cells the prime cause or simply the consequence of 5-FU-related cardiotoxicity?
Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapy, University of Pavia, Italy.
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Moroni
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Nastasi
D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003329:Coronary Vasospasm / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D019332:Endothelin-1; D005472:Fluorouracil