Approved Drugs May Reduce Anthracycline Drug-Related Cardiotoxicity

    Cancer Discovery
    |September 4, 2021
    PubMed

    Insights

    Ramipril and bisoprolol, alone or combined, reduced early heart damage in a phase III trial. These cardiovascular drugs offer protective benefits against subclinical cardiotoxicity.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiology
    • Pharmacology
    • Clinical Trials

    Background:

    • Subclinical cardiotoxicity is an early indicator of potential heart damage.
    • Identifying effective interventions for subclinical cardiotoxicity is crucial for cardiovascular health.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the efficacy of ramipril, bisoprolol, and their combination in mitigating subclinical cardiotoxicity.
    • To assess the protective effects of these cardiovascular medications.

    Main Methods:

    • A phase III clinical trial was conducted.
    • Participants received ramipril, bisoprolol, or a combination therapy.
    • Subclinical cardiotoxicity was assessed as the primary outcome.

    Main Results:

    • Ramipril demonstrated a significant reduction in subclinical cardiotoxicity.
    • Bisoprolol also showed a notable decrease in early heart damage.
    • The combination of ramipril and bisoprolol proved effective in diminishing subclinical cardiotoxicity.

    Conclusions:

    • Ramipril and bisoprolol are effective in preventing early-stage heart damage.
    • Combination therapy offers a potential strategy for enhanced cardioprotection.
    • These findings support the use of ramipril and bisoprolol in managing cardiovascular risk.

    Related Concept Videos

    Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System01:26

    Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System

    The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
    581
    Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine01:25

    Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine

    Angina pectoris, a primary symptom of ischemic heart disease, requires careful pharmacological interventions. In this context, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and ranolazine have emerged as crucial pharmacotherapeutic agents, providing deep insights into the complexities of angina management.
    CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...
    782
    Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers01:24

    Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers

    Adrenergic stimulation generally impacts cardiac rate and rhythm. Specifically, stimulation of the β-adrenoceptors triggers an increase in intracellular calcium ion influx and pacemaker currents, which may cause arrhythmias. Catecholamines like adrenaline also demonstrate β2-adrenoceptor-mediated hypokalemia, impacting cardiac action potential and disrupting the normal cardiac rhythm. Class II antiarrhythmic drugs are β-adrenoceptor antagonists or β-blockers, which...
    1.0K
    Antianginal Drugs: Nitrates and β-Blockers01:16

    Antianginal Drugs: Nitrates and β-Blockers

    In cardiovascular health, antianginal drugs combat angina pectoris — a condition marked by chest pain owing to diminished blood flow to the heart.
    Organic nitrates,  such as nitroglycerin, play a pivotal role. Once metabolized, they liberate nitric oxide, a molecular marvel. Nitric oxide triggers guanylyl cyclase and augments cGMP production. This biochemical cascade orchestrates the relaxation of vascular smooth muscles, ushering in vasodilation and enhancing coronary blood flow....
    873
    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...
    845
    Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers01:12

    Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers

    Class III antiarrhythmic drugs are a group of medications that can prolong action potentials in the heart. They achieve this by blocking potassium channels or enhancing inward currents from sodium channels. However, these drugs have a unique property of "reverse use-dependence," which is most pronounced at slower heart rates and can lead to torsades de pointes—a specific type of arrhythmia. However, it is essential to note that excessive QT interval prolongation—a measure of...
    1.4K