Antioxidant Approach as a Cardioprotective Strategy in Chemotherapy-Induced Cardiotoxicity

Antioxid Redox Signal. 2021 Mar 1;34(7):572-588. doi: 10.1089/ars.2020.8055. Epub 2020 Apr 9.

Abstract

Significance: Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity (CTX) has been associated with redox signaling imbalance. In fact, redox reactions are crucial for normal heart physiology, whereas excessive oxidative stress can cause cardiomyocyte structural damage. Recent Advances: An antioxidant approach as a cardioprotective strategy in this setting has shown encouraging results in preventing anticancer drug-induced CTX. Critical Issues: In fact, traditional heart failure drugs as well as many other compounds and nonpharmacological strategies, with a partial effect in reducing oxidative stress, have been shown to counterbalance chemotherapy-induced CTX in this setting to some extent. Future Directions: Given the various pathways of toxicity involved in different chemotherapeutic schemes, interactions with redox balance need to be fine-tuned and a personalized cardioprotective approach seems to be required.

Keywords: cardioprotection; chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity; oxidative stress.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Cardiotonic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Heart Diseases / chemically induced
  • Heart Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Heart Diseases / metabolism
  • Heart Failure / chemically induced
  • Heart Failure / drug therapy*
  • Heart Failure / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Cardiotonic Agents
  • Reactive Oxygen Species