Skip to content

ECAM

DOX and induced cardiotoxicity

DOX’s damage

Abstract

Cancer, one of the most important and deadly diseases of our age, is very difficult to treat. The toxic effects of the drugs used affect the antineoplastic treatment. Anthracyclines are substances that have been proven to be beneficial in cancer chemotherapy in research on microbial products. Doxorubicin is one of the chemotherapeutic agents used in cancer treatment. A broad-spectrum anthracycline is known to have beneficial effects such as antibiotics, as well as adverse effects such as cardiac damage. Doxorubicin causes reactive oxygen radicals in the cell. Today, new natural antioxidant sources are of great importance because of the importance of using antioxidant molecules in the treatment of diseases caused by free radicals. Therefore, it has been shown that the use of antioxidants may be protective against oxidative stress caused by doxorubicin and other cytotoxic drugs. Due to the antioxidant properties of Pistacia vera L. (P. v. L.), which has a high phenolic content, it has been shown in various studies that it is beneficial in anti-inflammatory activity, glycemic control and protection of endothelial function and prevents low oxidation.

Keywords

cancerDOXcardiotoxicityoxidative stressantioxidant

Discussion

With the increasing incidence of cancer in recent years, increased doses of antineoplastic drugs and more diverse combinations have been used to provide better toxicity control in these patients.27 DOX is a chemotherapeutic agent of the anthracycline group used for the destruction of tumors. DOX has the ability to inhibit DNA biosynthesis by DNA intercalation. This drug has high affinity for sites containing Guanine-Cytosine (GC) base pairs and forming hydrogen bonds between DOX and guanine, causing the formation of triple DOX-DNAtopoisomerase II complexes that activate DNA damage responses and eventually cause cell death.28 Demir et al. evaluated the antioxidant system and lipid peroxidation after the last DOX injection in cardiotoxicity studies induced by DOX, and showed that DOX reduces heart tissue GSH-Px and increases lipid peroxidation products in the chronic process.29 In recent years, biological markers have been used together with ECHO to detect cardiotoxicity due to anthracyclines. ProBNP and troponin I are two of these markers.30 Troponin (Troponin-I, Troponin-C), CK-MB and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) markers are the most important markers used to define cardiac damage and to describe the failure that occurs after this damage. DOX has long been thought to act as a pro-oxidative agent, but a large number of studies, demonstrated that this anticancer drug can induce significant oxidative stress within cells.31 Free radicals, which are the products of oxidation reactions, cause damage to cells and tissues; Eventually, it causes many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and cancer.32 Oxidative damage to membrane lipids and other cellular components is thought to be the major factor in the toxicity of DOX and other anthracyclic antibiotics. For this reason, it has been proven in most studies that the use of natural and artificial antioxidants protects against oxidative stress caused by DOX and other drugs in this derivative.33 While the use of antioxidants has been shown to play a positive role in the treatment of the most common diseases such as CVD and cancer, studies among healthy people and people with heart disease have shown that antioxidants reduce free radicals and protect LDL against oxidation.34 Dong et al.35 reported that quercetin, a powerful antioxidant, suppressed DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Carino-Cortes et al.36 reported that naringin, with Daunorubicin, an anticancer agent, prevents DNA damage that starts as a result of oxidative stress in hepatocytes and cardiocytes.In recent years, P.v.L., rich in phenolic compounds, which is a very powerful antioxidant, has been shown to have protective effects against diseases associated with increased oxidative stress as a result of excessive production of free radicals such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancer.37 Studies have shown that consumption of green pistachios (P.v.L.) significantly reduces total cholesterol.38 and LDL.39 while significantly increasing low-density lipoprotein. In a study on this subject, it was determined that the outer shell of the peanut contains high antioxidants.40

Conclusion

As a result of this research, besides the advantages provided by the therapeutic properties of DOX, the cardiotoxicity caused by its use causes the production of free oxygen radicals. To reduce these effects, the use of natural or artificial antibiotics is needed. Therefore, the discovery of new antibiotics is of great importance.

Declarations

Ethics Declarations

The authors declare that this manuscript complies with ethical publishing standards.

Informed Consent

Not applicable.

Data Availability

Data sharing is not applicable to this article because no datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding

None.

Author Contributions (CRediT Taxonomy)

Conceptualization: E.K.E., Y.H.
Literature Review: E.K.E., Y.H.
Writing – original draft preparation: E.K.E.
Writing – review & editing: Y.H.
Supervision: Y.H.

Abbreviations

BNP: Brain natriuretic peptide
CK-MB: Creatine kinase myocardial band
CVD: Cardiovascular disease
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid
DOX: Doxorubicin
GC: Guanine-cytosine
GSH-Px: Glutathione peroxidase
LDL: Low-density lipoprotein
P. v. L.: Pistacia vera L.
RNA: Ribonucleic acid
SOR: Superoxide oxygen radicals

References

  1. Türker A, Kayaalp O. Kanser kemoterapisinin esasları ve antineoplastik ilaçlar (fundamentals of cancer chemotherapy and antineoplastic drugs). In: Kayaalp O, ed. Rasyonel tedavi yönünden tıbbi farmakoloji (medical pharmacology for rational treatment). 10th ed. Ankara: Hacettepe-Taş; 2002:380-415.
  2. McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS drug information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; 2005:263.
  3. Polovich M, Whitford JM, Olsen M, eds. Chemotherapy and biotherapy guidelines and recommendations for practice. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society; 2009:1-4.
  4. Chabner BA, Ryan DP, Paz-Ares L, Garcia-Carbonero R, Calabresi P. Chemotherapy of neoplastic diseases. In: Hardman JG, Limbird LE, Goodman LS, Gilman A, eds. Goodman & Gilman’s the pharmacological basis of therapeutics. 10th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2001:1426-1428.
  5. Lipshultz SE, Alvarez JA, Scully RE. Anthracycline-associated cardiotoxicity in survivors of childhood cancer. Heart. 2008;94(4):525-533. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.136093
  6. Sritharan S, Sivalingam N. A comprehensive review on time-tested anticancer drug doxorubicin. Life Sci. 2021;278:119527. doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119527
  7. Hideg K, Kálai T. Novel antioxidants in anthracycline cardiotoxicity. Cardiovasc Toxicol. 2007;7(2):160-164. doi:10.1007/s12012-007-0019-z
  8. Mordente A, Meucci E, Martorana GE, Giardina B, Minotti G. Human heart cytosolic reductases and anthracycline cardiotoxicity. IUBMB Life. 2001;52(1-2):83-88. doi:10.1080/15216540252774829
  9. Albini A, Pennesi G, Donatelli F, et al. Cardiotoxicity of anticancer drugs: the need for cardio-oncology and cardio-oncological prevention. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2010;102(1):14-25. doi:10.1093/jnci/djp440
  10. Patanè S. Cardiotoxicity: cisplatin and long-term cancer survivors. Int J Cardiol. 2014;175(1):201-202. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.04.238
  11. Simbre VC, Duffy SA, Dadlani GH, Miller TL, Lipshultz SE. Cardiotoxicity of cancer chemotherapy: implications for children. Paediatr Drugs. 2005;7(3):187-202. doi:10.2165/00148581-200507030-00005
  12. Vincent DT, Ibrahim YF, Espey MG, Suzuki YJ. The role of antioxidants in the era of cardio-oncology. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2013;72(6):1157-1168. doi:10.1007/s00280-013-2260-4
  13. Octavia Y, Tocchetti CG, Gabrielson KL, et al. Doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic strategies. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2012;52(6):1213-1225. doi:10.1016/j.yjmcc.2012.03.006
  14. Sun XP, Wan LL, Yang QJ, et al. Scutellarin protects against doxorubicin-induced acute cardiotoxicity and regulates its accumulation in the heart. Arch Pharm Res. 2017:875-883. doi:10.1007/s12272-017-0907-0
  15. Horenstein MS, Vander Heide RS, L’Ecuyer TJ. Molecular basis of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and its prevention. Mol Genet Metab. 2000;71(1-2):436-444. doi:10.1006/mgme.2000.3043
  16. Simůnek T, Štěrba M, Popelová O, et al. Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity: overview of studies examining the roles of oxidative stress and free cellular iron. Pharmacol Rep. 2009;61(1):154-171.
  17. Minotti G, Ronchi R, Salvatorelli E, Menna P, Cairo G. Doxorubicin irreversibly inactivates iron regulatory proteins 1 and 2 in cardiomyocytes: evidence for distinct metabolic pathways and implications for iron-mediated cardiotoxicity of antitumor therapy. Cancer Res. 2001;61(23):8422-8428.
  18. Canzoneri JC, Oyelere AK. Interaction of anthracyclines with iron responsive element mRNAs. Nucleic Acids Res. 2008;36(21):6825-6834. doi:10.1093/nar/gkn774
  19. Barton JC, Bertoli LF. Transfusion iron overload in adults with acute leukemia: manifestations and therapy. Am J Med Sci. 2000;319(2):73-78. doi:10.1097/00000441-200002000-00001
  20. Minotti G, Menna P, Salvatorelli E, Cairo G, Gianni L. Anthracyclines: molecular advances and pharmacologic developments in antitumor activity and cardiotoxicity. Pharmacol Rev. 2004;56(2):185-229. doi:10.1124/pr.56.2.6
  21. Chen Y, Huang T, Shi W, et al. Potential targets for intervention against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity based on genetic studies: a systematic review of the literature. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2020;138:88-98. doi:10.1016/j.yjmcc.2019.11.150
  22. Bansal N, Amdani S, Lipshultz ER, Lipshultz SE. Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in children. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2017;13(8):817-832. doi:10.1080/17425255.2017.1351547
  23. Shakir DK, Rasul KI. Chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy: pathogenesis, monitoring and management. J Clin Med Res. 2009;1(1):8-12. doi:10.4021/jocmr2009.02.1225
  24. Schimmel KJ, Richel DJ, van den Brink RB, Guchelaar HJ. Cardiotoxicity of cytotoxic drugs. Cancer Treat Rev. 2004;30(2):181-191. doi:10.1016/j.ctrv.2003.07.003
  25. Kremer LC, van Dalen EC, Offringa M, et al. Anthracycline-induced clinical heart failure in a cohort of 607 children: a long-term follow-up study. J Clin Oncol. 2001;19(1):191-196. doi:10.1200/jco.2001.19.1.191
  26. Singal PK, Li T, Kumar D, et al. Adriamycin-induced heart failure: mechanism and modulation. Mol Cell Biochem. 2000;207(1-2):77-86. doi:10.1023/a:1007094214460
  27. Demircan Z. Kemoterapi hazırlamada robotik teknolojiler ve hemşirenin rolü (robotic technologies and the role of the nurse in chemotherapy preparation). Yıldırım Beyazıt Üniv Sağ Bilim Fak Hemşirelik E-Derg. 2014;2(1):36-42.
  28. Santos D, Goldenberg R. Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity: from mechanisms to development of efficient therapy. Cardiotoxicity. 2018:3-24. doi:10.5772/intechopen.79588
  29. Demir F, Narin F, Akgün H, et al. Doksorubisin ile oluşturulmuş deneysel kardiyotoksisite üzerine melatoninin etkisi (effect of melatonin on doxorubicin-induced experimental cardiotoxicity). Çocuk Sağlığı Hast Derg. 2004;47:260-268.
  30. Liu B, Bai QX, Chen XQ, et al. Effect of curcumin on expression of survivin, Bcl-2 and Bax in human multiple myeloma cell line. Zhongguo Shi Yan Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi. 2007;15(4):762-766.
  31. Tangpong J, Miriyala S, Noel T, et al. Doxorubicin-induced central nervous system toxicity and protection by xanthone derivatives of Garcinia mangostana. Neuroscience. 2011;175:292-299. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.11.007
  32. Köksal E, Gülçin İ. Antioxidant activity of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L). Turk J Agric For. 2008;32:65-78.
  33. Kang YJ, Sun X, Chen Y, Zhou Z. Inhibition of doxorubicin chronic toxicity in catalase-overexpressing transgenic mouse hearts. Chem Res Toxicol. 2002;15(1):1-6. doi:10.1021/tx015532n
  34. Seifried HE, Anderson DE, Fisher EI, Miller JA. A review of the interaction among dietary antioxidants and reactive oxygen species. J Nutr Biochem. 2007;18(9):567-579. doi:10.1016/j.jnutbio.2006.10.007
  35. Dong Q, Chen L, Lu Q, et al. Quercetin attenuates doxorubicin cardiotoxicity by modulating Bmi-1 expression. Br J Pharmacol. 2014;171(19):4440-4454. doi:10.1111/bph.12795
  36. Carino-Cortés R, Alvarez-González I, Martino-Roaro L, Madrigal-Bujaidar E. Effect of naringin on the DNA damage induced by daunorubicin in mouse hepatocytes and cardiocytes. Biol Pharm Bull. 2010;33(4):697-701.
  37. Hassellund SS, Flaa A, Kjeldsen SE, et al. Effects of anthocyanins on cardiovascular risk factors and inflammation in prehypertensive men: a randomized placebo-controlled crossover study. J Hum Hypertens. 2013;27(2):100-106. doi:10.1038/jhh.2012.4
  38. Sarı I, Baltacı Y, Bağcı C, et al. Effect of pistachio diet on lipid parameters, endothelial function, inflammation, and oxidative status: a prospective study. Nutrition. 2010;26(4):399-404.
  39. Kay CD, Gebauer SK, West SG, Kris-Etherton PM. Pistachios increase serum antioxidants and lower serum oxidized LDL in hypercholesterolemic adults. J Nutr. 2010;140(6):1093-1098. doi:10.3945/jn.109.117366
  40. Zoral FB, Turgay Ö. Çeşitli gıda atıklarının toplam fenolik madde içeriğinin, antioksidan ve antimikrobiyal aktivitelerinin araştırılması (investigation of total phenolic content, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of various food wastes). KSÜ Doğa Bil Derg. 2014;17(2):24-33. doi:10.18016/ksujns.03907

Figures

Figure 1. Chemical structure of DOX.[1]

Figure 1. Chemical structure of DOX.1

Additional Information

Publisher’s Note
Bayrakol MP remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional and institutional claims.

Rights and Permissions

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0). To view a copy of the license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

About This Article

How to Cite This Article

Ezhar Korkmaz Ersöz, Yasemin Hacanlı. DOX and induced cardiotoxicity. Eu Clin Anal Med 2026;10(3):34. doi:10.4328/ECAM.10044

Received:
23.09.2022
Accepted:
11.10.2022
Published Online:
11.10.2022
Printed:
01.09.2022