title: Pixantrone: a novel anthracycline-like drug for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current treatment approach of high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) relies to a large extent on anthracycline-based regimens yielding cure rates in ∼ 65 - 75% of patients. Despite being highly effective, these regimens are associated with significant long-term toxicity with a cumulative 10-year incidence of cardiovascular disease of 22%. Moreover, for the 25 - 35% of patients who fail first-line therapy there has been very little progress in terms of salvage regimens over the past 15 years. Re-treatment with anthracyclines-based regimens was, until now, not an option given the extensive cardiac toxicity of these agents. Pixantrone dimaleate (Pixantrone) is a novel anthracycline-like drug that offers an interesting alternative for the treatment of aggressive NHL.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article provides an overview of treatment-related cardiac toxicity in NHL, the pharmacology of Pixantrone and the evidence supporting its use in NHL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pixantrone is a potential alternative agent with a favorable safety profile for the treatment of relapsed and refractory NHL patients. It might benefit from combinations strategies and further development in the elderly and frail population.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Claude Huriez, Service des maladies du sang , CHRU Lille, 59000 , France +0033 320 44 42 92 ; franck.morshhauser@chru-lille.fr.
authors.forename: Eileen Mary
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Boyle
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Morschhauser
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D066126:Cardiotoxicity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007546:Isoquinolines; C086548:pixantrone
keywords: Pixantrone; anthracyclines; cardiotoxicity; lymphoma