Cardiomyocyte death in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz). 2009 Nov-Dec;57(6):435-45. doi: 10.1007/s00005-009-0051-8. Epub 2009 Oct 29.

Abstract

Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most widely used and successful antitumor drugs, but its cumulative and dose-dependent cardiac toxicity has been a major concern of oncologists in cancer therapeutic practice for decades. With the increasing population of cancer survivors, there is a growing need to develop preventive strategies and effective therapies against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, in particular late-onset cardiomyopathy. Although intensive investigations on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity have continued for decades, the underlying mechanisms responsible for DOX-induced cardiotoxicity have not been completely elucidated. A rapidly expanding body of evidence supports the notion that cardiomyocyte death by apoptosis and necrosis is a primary mechanism of DOX-induced cardiomyopathy and that other types of cell death, such as autophagy and senescence/aging, may participate in this process. This review focuses on the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying DOX-induced cardiomyocyte death, including the major primary mechanism of excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other recently discovered ROS-independent mechanisms. The different sensitivities to DOX-induced cell death signals between adult and young cardiomyocytes will also be discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cardiomyopathies / chemically induced*
  • Cardiomyopathies / prevention & control
  • Cardiotoxins / adverse effects*
  • Cardiotoxins / therapeutic use
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cellular Senescence
  • Doxorubicin / adverse effects*
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / pathology
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species

Substances

  • Cardiotoxins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Doxorubicin