Meta-analysis Evaluating the Use of Statins to attenuate Cardiotoxicity in Cancer Patients receiving Anthracyclines and Trastuzumab-based Chemotherapy

Anthracycline and trastuzumab are essential adjuvant therapies for a variety of cancers, particularly breast, and gastric and esophageal cancers.1 Anthracyclines inhibit topoisomerase II which arrests DNA growth, while trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody directed against the extracellular portion of HER2 receptor.2 Whilst prolonging cancer-related survival, these agents can induce drug-related cardiotoxicity. This causes an increased risk of heart failure (HF).3 Cardioprotective agents used to mitigate cardiotoxicity, such as angiotensin antagonists, angiotensin receptor blockers and beta ‐blockers, are often poorly tolerated in these patients due to intravascular volume fluctuations, which are further escalated by the hemodynamic side effects of these agents.
Source: The American Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research