Emerging Role of Statin Therapy in Preventing Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity

Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs), animal studies, and observational studies have demonstrated the cardioprotective effects of statins, though their effectiveness varies. The observed variability may be attributed to individual differences, patient ages, disparities in statin type and dosage of anthracyclines (ANT) administered, and variations in cancer conditions among patients. Overall, statins play a beneficial role in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, enhancing tumor sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs, improving mitochondrial function in cardiac cells, exerting antiapoptotic effects, and preserving left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Despite these promising findings, the long-term effects of statins remain unclear due to the lack of a standardized protocol. Statins may also cause side effects by depleting essential substances in the body. This limitation underscores the need for further research to assess their long-term impact and establish standardized guidelines for dosing, duration, and potential side effects. The implications of this review highlight the importance of understanding the pleiotropic effects of statins to develop targeted therapies for chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. Additionally, integrating ongoing research into clinical guidelines is essential, ensuring that clinicians carefully consider patient-specific factors when prescribing statins alongside ANT. This present review explores the potential role of statins in mitigating ANT-induced cardiotoxicity, a major complication of chemotherapy that reduces LVEF and leads to heart failure (HF).