Dexrazoxane for the prevention of cardiomyopathy in anthracycline treated pediatric cancer patients.
Anthracyclines play a major role in chemotherapeutic regimens for a variety of childhood cancers, but produce dose-related cardiotoxicity. Dexrazoxane, a chelating agent that binds iron intracellularly, has been cautiously included in anthracycline-based regimens. Our understanding of anthracycline and dexrazoxane pharmacokinetics in children is very limited. In addition, the administration schedule used for adults (bolus dexrazoxane prior to bolus anthracycline) may not be the best to attain both short- and long-term cardioprotection. Dexrazoxane could diminish the anti-tumor activity of and/or increase toxicities from anthracyclines. Pediatric oncologists must be assured this intervention does not diminish the success in curing children with cancer.
Anderson
Barry
B
Clinical Investigations Branch, Pediatric Section, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland 20852, USA. andersonb@ctep.nci.nih.gov
D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011929:Razoxane / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018943:Anthracyclines; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D011929:Razoxane