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Updated: Dec 14, 2025
A Doxorubicin-induced Cardiomyopathy Model in Adult Zebrafish
Published on: June 7, 2018
Noncoding RNAs in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets
Hong-Ge Fa1,2, Wen-Guang Chang2, Xue-Juan Zhang3
1School of Basic Medical Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China.
Abstract:
Anthracyclines, such as doxorubicin (DOX), are well known for their high efficacy in treating multiple cancers, but their clinical usage is limited due to their potential to induce fatal cardiotoxicity. Such detrimental effects significantly impact the overall physical condition or even induce the morbidity and mortality of cancer survivors. Therefore, it is extremely important to understand the mechanisms of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity to develop methods for the early detection of cytotoxicity and therapeutic applications. Studies have shown that many molecular events are involved in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. However, the precise mechanisms are still not completely understood. Recently, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been extensively studied in a diverse range of regulatory roles in cellular physiological and pathological processes. With respect to their roles in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, microRNAs (miRNAs) are the most widely studied, and studies have focused on the regulatory roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), which have been shown to have significant functions in the cardiovascular system. Recent discoveries on the roles of ncRNAs in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity have prompted extensive interest in exploring candidate ncRNAs for utilization as potential therapeutic targets and/or diagnostic biomarkers. This review presents the frontier studies on the roles of ncRNAs in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, addresses the possibility and prospects of using ncRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets, and discusses the possible reasons for related discrepancies and limitations of their use.
Insights
Doxorubicin (DOX) cancer treatment causes cardiotoxicity. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are increasingly studied for their role in DOX cardiotoxicity, offering potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Cancer Therapeutics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Anthracyclines like doxorubicin (DOX) are effective cancer drugs but cause cardiotoxicity, limiting their use.
- DOX-induced cardiotoxicity significantly impacts cancer survivor health, necessitating better understanding and management.
- The precise molecular mechanisms underlying DOX cardiotoxicity remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current research on noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.
- To explore the potential of ncRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for DOX cardiotoxicity.
- To discuss discrepancies and limitations in the current understanding and application of ncRNAs in this context.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on ncRNAs (miRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs) and DOX cardiotoxicity.
- Analysis of molecular events and regulatory roles of ncRNAs in cardiovascular system.
- Synthesis of findings regarding diagnostic and therapeutic prospects.
Main Results:
- ncRNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), play significant regulatory roles in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.
- Emerging evidence highlights the potential of specific ncRNAs as biomarkers for early detection and as therapeutic targets.
- Research is actively exploring these ncRNAs for clinical applications in managing cardiotoxicity.
Conclusions:
- ncRNAs represent a promising area for understanding and combating DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.
- Further research is needed to validate ncRNAs as reliable biomarkers and effective therapeutic agents.
- Addressing current limitations and discrepancies will be crucial for clinical translation.
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