title: Pathophysiology of anthracycline cardiotoxicity.
abstract: Anthracyclines (ANTs) are powerful drugs that have reduced the mortality of cancer patients. However, their use is limited by the development of cardiotoxicity (CTX), which is dose dependent and may lead to left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure. Although various strategies have been suggested to reduce the negative effects of ANTs, CTX is still an important unresolved clinical issue. This may be due at least partly to the incomplete characterization of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of ANT-induced CTX. In addition, although various forms of cardiac damage have been demonstrated with the use of these drugs in experimental studies, it is not yet clear how these translate to the clinical setting. Appropriate characterization of potential candidates for ANT-based therapies is essential to decide whether to administer these drugs. Hopefully, new information from genetic profiling will help to identify patients who are at high risk of developing CTX.
authors.affiliation: aCardiology Unit, University Hospital of Ferrara bDepartment of Translational Medical Sciences, Division of Internal Medicine, Federico II University, Naples cDepartment of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Orbassano dCardiology, Center of Excellence on Aging, 'G. d'Annunzio' University, Chieti eChair and Division of Cardiology, University of Palermo, Palermo fU.O.C. Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Fondazione G. Monasterio C.N.R., Pisa gU.O.C. Cardiology Intensive Unit, A.O.U. Policlinico 'G. Martino', University of Messina, Messina hDivision of Cardiology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori "Fondazione Giovanni Pascale" -IRCCS, Naples, Italy iClinic of Cardiovascular Diseases, IRCCS San Martino IST, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Donato
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mele
authors.forename: Carlo G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Tocchetti
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pagliaro
authors.forename: Rosalinda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Madonna
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Novo
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pepe
authors.forename: Concetta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zito
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maurea
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spallarossa
mesh_terms: D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D066126:Cardiotoxicity / Q000503:physiopathology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D018943:Anthracyclines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents