Comparison of epirubicin and doxorubicin cardiotoxicity in children and adolescents treated within the German Cooperative Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study (CWS)

Acute and early-onset cardiotoxicity in children and adolescents with cancer: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Cardiotoxicity is among the most important adverse effects of childhood cancer treatment. Anthracyclines, mitoxantrone and radiotherapy involving the heart are its main causes. Subclinical cardiac dysfunction may over time progress to clinical heart failure. The majority of previous studies have focused on late-onset cardiotoxicity. In this systematic review, we discuss the prevalence and risk factors for acute and early-onset cardiotoxicity in children and adolescents with cancer treated with anthracyclines, mitoxantrone or radiotherapy involving the heart.

METHODS

A literature search was performed within PubMed and reference lists of relevant studies. Studies were eligible if they reported on cardiotoxicity measured by clinical, echocardiographic and biochemical parameters routinely used in clinical practice during or within one year after the start of cancer treatment in ≥ 25 children and adolescents with cancer. Information about study population, treatment, outcomes of diagnostic tests used for cardiotoxicity assessment and risk factors was extracted and risk of bias was assessed.

RESULTS

Our PubMed search yielded 3649 unique publications, 44 of which fulfilled the inclusion criteria. One additional study was identified by scanning the reference lists of relevant studies. In these 45 studies, acute and early-onset cardiotoxicity was studied in 7797 children and adolescents. Definitions of acute and early-onset cardiotoxicity prove to be highly heterogeneous. Prevalence rates varied for different cardiotoxicity definitions: systolic dysfunction (0.0-56.4%), diastolic dysfunction (30.0-100%), combinations of echocardiography and/or clinical parameters (0.0-38.1%), clinical symptoms (0.0-25.5%) and biomarker levels (0.0-37.5%). Shortening fraction and ejection fraction significantly decreased during treatment. Cumulative anthracycline dose proves to be an important risk factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Various definitions have been used to describe acute and early-onset cardiotoxicity due to childhood cancer treatment, complicating the establishment of its exact prevalence. Our findings underscore the importance of uniform international guidelines for the monitoring of cardiac function during and shortly after childhood cancer treatment.

Metformin Alleviates Epirubicin-Induced Endothelial Impairment by Restoring Mitochondrial Homeostasis

Vascular endothelial injury is important in anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. Anthracyclines seriously damage the mitochondrial function and mitochondrial homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the damage of epirubicin to vascular endothelial cells and the protective role of metformin from the perspective of mitochondrial homeostasis. We found that epirubicin treatment resulted in DNA double-strand breaks (DSB), elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and excessive Angiotensin II release in HUVEC cells. Pretreatment with metformin significantly mitigated the injuries caused by epirubicin. In addition, inhibited expression of Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) and increased mitochondria fragmentation were observed in epirubicin-treated cells, which were partially resumed by metformin pretreatment. In epirubicin-treated cells, knockdown of TFAM counteracted the attenuated DSB formation due to metformin pretreatment, and inhibition of mitochondrial fragmentation with Mdivi-1 decreased DSB formation but increased TFAM expression. Furthermore, epirubicin treatment promoted mitochondrial fragmentation by stimulating the expression of Dynamin-1-like protein (DRP1) and inhibiting the expression of Optic atrophy-1(OPA1) and Mitofusin 1(MFN1), which could be partially prevented by metformin. Finally, we found metformin could increase TFAM expression and decrease DRP1 expression in epirubicin-treated HUVEC cells by upregulating the expression of calcineurin/Transcription factor EB (TFEB). Taken together, this study provided evidence that metformin treatment was an effective way to mitigate epirubicin-induced endothelial impairment by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis.

Cardiovascular disease in survivors of childhood cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We review the cardiotoxic chemotherapeutic agents, the clinical and subclinical presentations and progression of their cardiotoxicity, and the management of the subsequent cardiovascular disease in survivors of childhood cancer. We discuss various preventive measures, especially the cardioprotectant, dexrazoxane, whose use with anthracycline chemotherapy, including doxorubicin, is based on strong evidence. Most treatment recommendations for this unique population are based on expert opinion, not on empirical evidence.

RECENT FINDINGS

As patients with childhood cancers live longer, morbidity from the cardiac side effects of chemotherapy is increasing. Treatment-related cardiac damage is irreversible and often progressive. It is imperative that such damage be prevented with strategies such as limiting the cumulative anthracycline dose, the use of anthracycline structural analogues and the use of cardioprotective agents.

SUMMARY

A deeper understanding of the mechanisms of their cardiotoxicity reveals that there is no 'safe' dose of anthracyclines. However, certain risk factors, such as higher lifetime anthracycline cumulative doses, higher anthracycline dose rates, female sex, longer follow-up, younger age at anthracycline treatment and cardiac irradiation, are associated with more severe cardiotoxicity. We advocate the use of dexrazoxane to limit the cardiotoxic effects of anthracycline chemotherapy.

Cardiac tolerability of concurrent administration of trastuzumab and anthracycline-based regimen as adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Retrospective analysis suggests that anthracycline-containing regimens may be superior to non-anthracycline-containing regimens in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer. However, both trastuzumab and anthracycline have cardiotoxicity, and it remains unclear how to use trastuzumab in combination with an anthracycline to curtail their cardiotoxicity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 2010 to 2013, we administered weekly (q1w) paclitaxel (wP) followed by 75 mg/m(2) epirubicin, fluorouracil, and cyclophosphamide (FEC) every third week (q3w) and concurrent q1w trastuzumab (H) to 41 patients with HER2-positive breast cancer (H+ group), and wP followed by FEC100 without trastuzumab to 57 patients who were HER2-negative (H- group). We routinely assessed the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiography, at the time of initiation, after wP, and after FEC, and compared them between these 2 groups.

RESULTS

LVEF decreased from 63.2 to 60.9% (p = 0.030) in the H+ group and from 63.9 to 61.9% (p = 0.009) in the H- group. These 2 groups showed no significant difference in the reduction rate of LVEF over the period of chemotherapy (0.968 vs. 0.978: NS, p = 0.6457). There was no severe cardiotoxicity or congestive heart failure in either group.

CONCLUSION

Concurrent administration of epirubicin (q3w, 75 mg/m(2)) and trastuzumab showed no less cardiac tolerability in an adjuvant setting.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation following high-dose chemotherapy for non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas

BACKGROUND

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a highly heterogeneous group of rare malignant solid tumors. Non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas (NRSTS) comprise all STS except rhabdomyosarcoma. In patients with advanced local or metastatic disease, autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) applied after high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) is a planned rescue therapy for HDCT-related severe hematologic toxicity.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness and safety of HDCT followed by autologous HSCT for all stages of soft tissue sarcomas in children and adults.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the electronic databases CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 2), MEDLINE and EMBASE (February 2010). Online trial registers, congress abstracts and reference lists of reviews were searched and expert panels and authors were contacted.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Terms representing STS and autologous HSCT were required in the title, abstract or keywords. In studies with aggregated data, participants with NRSTS and autologous HSCT had to constitute at least 80% of the data. Comparative non-randomized studies were included because randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were not expected. Case series and case reports were considered for an additional descriptive analysis.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Study data were recorded by two review authors independently. For studies with no comparator group, we synthesised results for studies reporting aggregate data and conducted a pooled analysis of individual participant data using the Kaplan-Meyer method. The primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and treatment-related mortality (TRM).

MAIN RESULTS

We included 54 studies, from 467 full texts articles screened (11.5%), reporting on 177 participants that received HSCT and 69 participants that received standard care. Only one study reported comparative data. In the one comparative study, OS at two years after HSCT was estimated as statistically significantly higher (62.3%) compared with participants that received standard care (23.2%). In a single-arm study, the OS two years after HSCT was reported as 20%. In a pooled analysis of the individual data of 54 participants, OS at two years was estimated as 49% (95% CI 34% to 64%). Data on TRM, secondary neoplasia and severe toxicity grade 3 to 4 after transplantation were sparse. All 54 studies had a high risk of bias.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Due to a lack of comparative studies, it is unclear whether participants with NRSTS have improved survival from autologous HSCT following HDCT. Owing to this current gap in knowledge, at present HDCT and autologous HSCT for NRSTS should only be used within controlled trials.

Different anthracycline derivates for reducing cardiotoxicity in cancer patients

BACKGROUND

The use of anthracyclines is limited by the occurrence of cardiotoxicity. In an effort to prevent this cardiotoxicity, different anthracycline derivates have been studied.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the occurrence of cardiotoxicity with the use of different anthracycline derivates in cancer patients.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), (The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2009), MEDLINE (1966 to 29 May 2009) and EMBASE (1980 to 2 June 2009). In addition, we searched reference lists of relevant articles, conference proceedings and ongoing-trials-databases.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which different anthracycline derivates were compared in cancer patients (children and adults).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently performed study selection, assessment of risk of bias and data-extraction including adverse effects.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified five RCTs of varying quality addressing epirubicin versus doxorubicin (1036 patients) with the same dose. The meta-analysis showed no evidence for a significant difference in the occurrence of clinical heart failure between the treatment groups (RR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.12 to 1.11). However, there is some suggestion of a lower rate of clinical heart failure in patients treated with epirubicin.We identified two RCTs with varying quality addressing liposomal-encapsulated doxorubicin versus conventional doxorubicin (521 patients). The meta-analysis showed a significantly lower rate of both clinical heart failure and clinical and subclinical heart failure combined in patients treated with liposomal-encapsulated doxorubicin (RR = 0.20, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.75 and RR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.59 respectively). It should be noted that in one of the studies patients in the liposomal-encapsulated doxorubicin group received a higher cumulative anthracycline dose than patients in the doxorubicin group.For the other possible combinations of different anthracycline derivates only one RCT (epirubicin versus liposomal-encapsulated doxorubicin) or no RCT was identified.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We are not able to favour either epirubicin or doxorubicin when given with the same dose. Based on the currently available evidence on heart failure, we conclude that in adults with a solid tumour liposomal-encapsulated doxorubicin should be favoured over doxorubicin. For both epirubicin versus doxorubicin and liposomal-encapsulated doxorubicin versus conventional doxorubicin no conclusions can be made about the effects of treatment in children treated with anthracyclines and also not in patients diagnosed with leukaemia. More research is needed. For other combinations of anthracycline derivates not enough evidence was available to make definitive conclusions about the occurrence of cardiotoxicity in patients treated with anthracyclines.

Different anthracycline derivates for reducing cardiotoxicity in cancer patients

BACKGROUND

The use of anthracyclines is limited by the occurrence of cardiotoxicity. In an effort to prevent this cardiotoxicity, different anthracycline derivates have been studied.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the occurrence of cardiotoxicity with the use of different anthracycline derivates in cancer patients.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), (The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2009), MEDLINE (1966 to 29 May 2009) and EMBASE (1980 to 2 June 2009). In addition, we searched reference lists of relevant articles, conference proceedings and ongoing-trials-databases.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which different anthracycline derivates were compared in cancer patients (children and adults).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently performed study selection, assessment of risk of bias and data-extraction including adverse effects.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified five RCTs of varying quality addressing epirubicin versus doxorubicin (1036 patients) with the same dose. The meta-analysis showed no evidence for a significant difference in the occurrence of clinical heart failure between the treatment groups (RR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.12 to 1.11). However, there is some suggestion of a lower rate of clinical heart failure in patients treated with epirubicin.We identified two RCTs with varying quality addressing liposomal-encapsulated doxorubicin versus conventional doxorubicin (521 patients). The meta-analysis showed a significantly lower rate of both clinical heart failure and clinical and subclinical heart failure combined in patients treated with liposomal-encapsulated doxorubicin (RR = 0.20, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.75 and RR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.59 respectively). It should be noted that in one of the studies patients in the liposomal-encapsulated doxorubicin group received a higher cumulative anthracycline dose than patients in the doxorubicin group.For the other possible combinations of different anthracycline derivates only one RCT (epirubicin versus liposomal-encapsulated doxorubicin) or no RCT was identified.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We are not able to favour either epirubicin or doxorubicin when given with the same dose. Based on the currently available evidence on heart failure, we conclude that in adults with a solid tumour liposomal-encapsulated doxorubicin should be favoured over doxorubicin. For both epirubicin versus doxorubicin and liposomal-encapsulated doxorubicin versus conventional doxorubicin no conclusions can be made about the effects of treatment in children treated with anthracyclines and also not in patients diagnosed with leukaemia. More research is needed. For other combinations of anthracycline derivates not enough evidence was available to make definitive conclusions about the occurrence of cardiotoxicity in patients treated with anthracyclines.

Anthracycline cardiotoxicity in childhood

Over the last 40 years, a significant advance has been made in the treatment of childhood and adult cancers. However, the increase of the survival rate points out medium- and long-term adverse effects that constitute a serious limitation for the quality of life in adults survived from a childhood cancer. Cardiovascular disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in adults treated with chemo- and radiotherapy for childhood cancers. Although some antitumor treatments are potentially cardiotoxic, anthracycline therapy and radiotherapy are mostly responsible for long-term cardiac damage. Anthracycline toxicity is generally limited to the myocardium, while radiation can cause injury to all components of the heart. The purpose of this review is to discuss the mechanisms of action of anthracyclines, their cardiotoxicity, the feasibility of screening, and the prevention of cardiac damage after treatment in childhood.

Combined NT-pro-BNP and CW-Doppler ultrasound cardiac output monitoring (USCOM) in epirubicin and liposomal doxorubicin therapy

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy with epirubicin is approved in women with breast cancer and is associated with a certain degree of cardiotoxicity.

HYPOTHESIS

Epirubicin changes stroke volume, cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance, while liposomal doxorubicin does not.

METHODS

75 patients with HER-2-positive metastatic breast cancer were continuously measured with CW-Doppler ultrasound for stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) before, during and after drug infusion in combination with NT-pro-BNP before and 10 min after drug infusion.

RESULTS

Epirubicin infusion increased stroke volume significantly in low-level NT-pro-BNP (62+/-23 ml vs. 74+/-29 ml, p=0.004) and high-level NT-pro-BNP (48+/-5 ml vs. 64+/-20 ml, p=0.131), while liposomal doxorubicin infusion increased stroke volume significantly in low-level NT-pro-BNP (54+/-16 ml vs. 67+/-22 ml, p=0.001) and high-level NT-pro-BNP (65+/-22 ml vs. 82+/-27 ml, p=0.001). Cardiac output was significantly increased in epirubicin (p=0.004) by 20% (NT-pro-BNP<125 pg/ml) and not significantly 38% (NT-pro-BNP>125 pg/ml; p=0.144), while in liposomal doxorubicin cardiac output was significantly increased by 23% (NT-pro-BNP<125 pg/ml; p=0.023) and 33% (NT-pro-BNP>125 pg/ml; p=0.001). In liposomal doxorubicin cardiac index was significantly increased by 26% (NT-pro-BNP<125 pg/ml; p=0.021) and 33% (NT-pro-BNP>125 pg/ml; p=0.0001). SVR was significantly reduced during and after epirubicin therapy.

CONCLUSION

Using the CW-Doppler USCOM a different hemodynamic response to epirubicin vs. liposomal doxorubicin is evident. Epirubicin leads to a significant upregulation of stroke volume and cardiac output, which is even more pronounced in the high-level NT-pro-BNP group, while liposomal doxorubicin does not change immediate hemodynamics. No deterioration of cardiac function using the real-time CW-Doppler ultrasound USCOM or an increase in NT-pro-BNP levels was evident during epirubicin or liposomal doxorubicin therapy.