Prophylactic Agents for Preventing Cardiotoxicity Induced Following Anticancer Agents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

Background: Anthracyclines can improve survival in many types of malignancies, but dose-dependent and irreversible results following the use of anthracyclines have been associated with cardiomyopathy. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of prophylactic agents for preventing cardiotoxicity induced following anticancer agents.

Methods: In this meta-analysis, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed were surfed for articles published by December 30th, 2020. The keywords were angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), enalapril, captopril, angiotensin receptor blocker, beta blocker, metoprolol, bisoprolol, isoprolol, statin, valsartan, losartan, eplerenone, idarubicin, nebivolol, dihydromyricetin, ampelopsin, spironolactone, dexrazoxane, antioxidants, cardiotoxicity, n-acetyl-tryptamine, cancer, neoplasms, chemotherapy, anthracyclines, doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, ejection fraction or a combination of them in the titles or abstracts.

Results: A total of 17 articles out of 728 studies examining 2,674 patients were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Ejection fraction (EF) values in the baseline, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up in the intervention group turned out to be 62.52 ± 2.48, 59.63 ± 4.85, and 59.42 ± 4.53, whereas in the control group appeared to be 62.81 ± 2.58, 57.69 ± 4.32, and 58.60 ± 4.58, respectively. Through comparison of the two groups, EF was found to increase in the intervention group by 0.40 after 6 months (Standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.27, 0.54), thus proving higher than that of the control groups following the cardiac drugs.

Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed that prophylactic treatment with cardio-protective drugs, including dexrazoxane, beta blocker, and ACEI drugs in patients undergoing chemotherapy with anthracycline, have a protective effect on LVEF and prevent EF drop.

Comments：

The study involved a systematic review and meta-analysis of 17 articles and 2,674 patients.

The results of the meta-analysis showed that prophylactic treatment with cardio-protective drugs, including dexrazoxane, beta blocker, and ACEI drugs, can protect the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and prevent EF drop. The LVEF values in the intervention group were found to increase by 0.40 after 6 months, which was higher than that of the control groups following the cardiac drugs.

Cardiotoxicity induced by anthracyclines is a major concern, and this study provides valuable insights into the use of prophylactic treatments to prevent cardiotoxicity and improve the survival of patients undergoing chemotherapy.

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Related Targets

RAAS ACE