Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 30, 2026

A Doxorubicin-induced Cardiomyopathy Model in Adult Zebrafish
08:09

A Doxorubicin-induced Cardiomyopathy Model in Adult Zebrafish

Published on: June 7, 2018

Doxorubicin cardiotoxicity in children: reduced incidence of cardiac dysfunction associated with continuous-infusion

S G Berrak1, M S Ewer, N Jaffe

  • 1Departments of Medical Specialties and Melanoma/Sarcoma and the Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.

Oncology Reports
|April 11, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Continuous doxorubicin infusion significantly reduces cardiotoxicity in pediatric cancer patients. This method offers a safer alternative to rapid infusion, with comparable tumor response rates and lower cardiac complication risks.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Doxorubicin is a vital chemotherapy agent for pediatric cancers.
  • Rapid infusion of doxorubicin is associated with significant cardiotoxicity.
  • Continuous infusion may mitigate cardiac side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the cardiotoxicity of continuous infusion doxorubicin in children.
  • To compare cardiotoxicity rates between continuous and rapid infusion doxorubicin.
  • To assess the impact of continuous infusion on tumor response.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 97 pediatric patients treated with doxorubicin.
  • Continuous infusion at 60 mg/m2 (24h) or 75 mg/m2 (72h) every 3 weeks.
  • Cardiac status assessed via echocardiography; compared to historical rapid infusion controls.

Main Results:

  • Only one case of congestive heart failure (1%) observed with continuous infusion.
  • Significantly lower cardiotoxicity incidence (p=0.03) and mortality (p<0.01) compared to rapid infusion.
  • Tumor response rates were comparable between continuous infusion and historical controls.

Conclusions:

  • Continuous infusion doxorubicin is associated with a substantially lower incidence of cardiotoxicity in pediatric cancer patients.
  • This administration method provides a favorable safety profile without compromising anti-tumor efficacy.
  • Continuous infusion should be considered for broader use in pediatric doxorubicin therapy.

More Related Videos

A Doxorubicin-Induced Murine Model of Dilated Cardiomyopathy In Vivo05:14

A Doxorubicin-Induced Murine Model of Dilated Cardiomyopathy In Vivo

Published on: May 16, 2020

Hybrid Cell Analysis System to Assess Structural and Contractile Changes of Human iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes for Preclinical Cardiac Risk Evaluation08:03

Hybrid Cell Analysis System to Assess Structural and Contractile Changes of Human iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes for Preclinical Cardiac Risk Evaluation

Published on: October 20, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents

Positive inotropic agents are commonly used as the first line of treatment for heart failure. One such agent is digoxin, derived from the genus Digitalis, which has been known for centuries but effectively utilized since 1785. However, these cardiac glycosides can have potentially toxic effects due to their mechanism of action, which involves inhibiting Na+/K+-ATPase and increasing contractility. Digoxin is absorbed orally and distributed in various tissues, including the CNS. It has a long...
Drug Accumulation During Multiple Dosing: Intermittent IV Infusions01:24

Drug Accumulation During Multiple Dosing: Intermittent IV Infusions

Intermittent intravenous (IV) infusion is a method of drug administration where medications are delivered over short infusion periods followed by intervals of no drug delivery. This approach helps to prevent sustained high drug concentrations in the bloodstream, reducing the risk of adverse effects associated with prolonged exposure. Unlike continuous infusion, steady-state concentrations may not be achieved during a single dosing cycle but can be reached through repeated...
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...