Regulated cell death pathways in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

Cell Death Dis. 2021 Apr 1;12(4):339. doi: 10.1038/s41419-021-03614-x.

Abstract

Doxorubicin is a chemotherapeutic drug used for the treatment of various malignancies; however, patients can experience cardiotoxic effects and this has limited the use of this potent drug. The mechanisms by which doxorubicin kills cardiomyocytes has been elusive and despite extensive research the exact mechanisms remain unknown. This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of doxorubicin induced regulated cardiomyocyte death pathways including autophagy, ferroptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis and apoptosis. Understanding the mechanisms by which doxorubicin leads to cardiomyocyte death may help identify novel therapeutic agents and lead to more targeted approaches to cardiotoxicity testing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Autophagy / drug effects*
  • Cardiotoxicity / metabolism*
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism
  • Necroptosis / drug effects

Substances

  • Doxorubicin

Grants and funding