Maximizing anthracycline tolerability in hematologic malignancies: Treat to each heart's content

Anthracyclines are the cornerstone of therapy for a wide spectrum of malignancies and have improved patient survival. Concern for anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity often leads to dose reductions or use of second-line regimens, which may adversely impact survival. Development of cardiotoxicity depends on a combination of cumulative dose modulated by individual patient characteristics, which we have termed individual cardiotoxic threshold (ICT). Patients with cancer often have characteristics such as age, gender, genetic predisposition and preexisting cardiovascular disease that can potentiate cardiotoxicity. Specialty cardiovascular assessment, more sensitive monitoring technology, and timely interventions in selected patients can decrease cardiotoxicity and improve patient outcomes. Prophylaxis with cardioprotective agents and other strategies have shown promising results in randomized trials and may improve tolerance to anthracyclines. In this review we introduce the concept of ICT and critically analyze the evidence supporting existing strategies to modulate it and increase cardiovascular tolerability of anthracyclines.