title: Drug-induced valvulopathy: an update.
abstract: Drug-induced valvulopathy is a serious liability for certain compound classes in development and for some marketed drugs intended for human use. Reports of valvulopathy led to the withdrawal of fenfluramines (anorexigens) and pergolide (antiparkinson drug) from the United States market in 1997 and 2007, respectively. The mechanism responsible for the pathogenesis of valvulopathy by these drugs is likely a result of an "off-target" effect via activation of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 2B receptor (5-HT2BR) expressed on heart valve leaflets. Microscopically, the affected valve leaflets showed plaques of proliferative myofibroblasts in an abundant extracellular matrix, composed primarily of glycosaminoglycans. However, the valvular effects caused by fenfluramines and pergolide were not initially predicted from routine preclinical toxicity studies, and to date there are no specific validated animal models or preclinical/toxicologic screens to accurately predict drug-induced valvulopathy. This review covers the structure and function of heart valves and highlights major advances toward understanding the 5-HT2BR-mediated pathogenesis of the lesion and subsequently, development of appropriate animal models using novel techniques/experiments, use of functional screens against 5-HT2BR, and more consistent sampling and pathologic evaluation of valves in preclinical studies that will aid in avoidance of future drug-induced valvulopathy in humans.
authors: Safety Assessment, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC27709-3398, USA. chandi.s.elangbam@gsk.com
authors: Chandikumar S
authors: CS
authors: Elangbam
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000633:toxicity*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000633:toxicity*; D006351:Heart Valves / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D058628:Myofibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010479:Pergolide / Q000633:toxicity*; D044403:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2B / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D001067:Appetite Depressants; D044403:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2B; D010479:Pergolide; D005277:Fenfluramine