Lifestyle and Pharmacological Interventions to Prevent Anthracycline-Related Cardiotoxicity in Cancer Patients

Anthracyclines remain a cornerstone of cancer therapy but are associated with a significant risk of cardiotoxicity, which can lead to overt heart failure. The risk is modulated by cumulative dose, pre-existing cardiovascular disease, and patient-specific factors. As cancer survival improves, the lon...

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Main Authors: Luigi Spadafora, Francesca Maria Di Muro, Chiara Intonti, Ludovica Massa, Mauro Monelli, Roberto Franco Enrico Pedretti, Edvige Palazzo Adriano, Pasquale Guarini, Gaia Cantiello, Marco Bernardi, Federico Russo, Stefano Cacciatore, Pierre Sabouret, Michele Golino, Giuseppe Biondi Zoccai, Francesca Romana Zimatore, Laura Adelaide Dalla Vecchia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3425/12/6/212
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author Luigi Spadafora
Francesca Maria Di Muro
Chiara Intonti
Ludovica Massa
Mauro Monelli
Roberto Franco Enrico Pedretti
Edvige Palazzo Adriano
Pasquale Guarini
Gaia Cantiello
Marco Bernardi
Federico Russo
Stefano Cacciatore
Pierre Sabouret
Michele Golino
Giuseppe Biondi Zoccai
Francesca Romana Zimatore
Laura Adelaide Dalla Vecchia
author_facet Luigi Spadafora
Francesca Maria Di Muro
Chiara Intonti
Ludovica Massa
Mauro Monelli
Roberto Franco Enrico Pedretti
Edvige Palazzo Adriano
Pasquale Guarini
Gaia Cantiello
Marco Bernardi
Federico Russo
Stefano Cacciatore
Pierre Sabouret
Michele Golino
Giuseppe Biondi Zoccai
Francesca Romana Zimatore
Laura Adelaide Dalla Vecchia
author_sort Luigi Spadafora
collection DOAJ
description Anthracyclines remain a cornerstone of cancer therapy but are associated with a significant risk of cardiotoxicity, which can lead to overt heart failure. The risk is modulated by cumulative dose, pre-existing cardiovascular disease, and patient-specific factors. As cancer survival improves, the long-term cardiovascular consequences of anthracycline exposure have become a growing concern, underscoring the need for effective preventive strategies. This narrative review examines lifestyle and pharmacological interventions aimed at mitigating anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. Evidence suggests that structured exercise programs and antioxidant-rich diets may enhance cardiovascular resilience, while beta-blockers, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, and dexrazoxane remain central pharmacological options. Emerging therapies, including sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and sacubitril/valsartan, show promise but require further investigation. A comprehensive approach that integrates lifestyle modifications with pharmacological strategies within a multidisciplinary cardio-oncology framework may provide optimal protection, improving long-term cardiovascular outcomes in cancer patients receiving anthracyclines.
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institution Kabale University
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series Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease
spelling doaj-art-0b0fb239026f4ee69a793e1e677367192025-08-20T03:27:26ZengMDPI AGJournal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease2308-34252025-06-0112621210.3390/jcdd12060212Lifestyle and Pharmacological Interventions to Prevent Anthracycline-Related Cardiotoxicity in Cancer PatientsLuigi Spadafora0Francesca Maria Di Muro1Chiara Intonti2Ludovica Massa3Mauro Monelli4Roberto Franco Enrico Pedretti5Edvige Palazzo Adriano6Pasquale Guarini7Gaia Cantiello8Marco Bernardi9Federico Russo10Stefano Cacciatore11Pierre Sabouret12Michele Golino13Giuseppe Biondi Zoccai14Francesca Romana Zimatore15Laura Adelaide Dalla Vecchia16Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, ItalyDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salvador Allende Street 43, 84081 Salerno, ItalyDepartment of Clinical, Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Cardiology, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, 20138 Milan, ItalySchool of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, 20216 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Cardiology, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, 20138 Milan, ItalyUO Cardiologia, Clinica Sanatrix, 80127 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, ItalyDepartment of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, ItalyDepartment of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Geriatrics, Orthopedics, and Rheumatology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, ItalyHeart Institute and Action Group, Pitié-Salpétrière, Sorbonne University, 75013 Paris, FranceVCU Pauley Heart Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USADepartment of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, ItalyCardiovascular Diseases Residency Program, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, 37126 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Cardiology, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, 20138 Milan, ItalyAnthracyclines remain a cornerstone of cancer therapy but are associated with a significant risk of cardiotoxicity, which can lead to overt heart failure. The risk is modulated by cumulative dose, pre-existing cardiovascular disease, and patient-specific factors. As cancer survival improves, the long-term cardiovascular consequences of anthracycline exposure have become a growing concern, underscoring the need for effective preventive strategies. This narrative review examines lifestyle and pharmacological interventions aimed at mitigating anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. Evidence suggests that structured exercise programs and antioxidant-rich diets may enhance cardiovascular resilience, while beta-blockers, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, and dexrazoxane remain central pharmacological options. Emerging therapies, including sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and sacubitril/valsartan, show promise but require further investigation. A comprehensive approach that integrates lifestyle modifications with pharmacological strategies within a multidisciplinary cardio-oncology framework may provide optimal protection, improving long-term cardiovascular outcomes in cancer patients receiving anthracyclines.https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3425/12/6/212anthracyclinesanthracycline-induced cardiotoxicitypreventionexercisepharmacological strategiescardio-oncology
spellingShingle Luigi Spadafora
Francesca Maria Di Muro
Chiara Intonti
Ludovica Massa
Mauro Monelli
Roberto Franco Enrico Pedretti
Edvige Palazzo Adriano
Pasquale Guarini
Gaia Cantiello
Marco Bernardi
Federico Russo
Stefano Cacciatore
Pierre Sabouret
Michele Golino
Giuseppe Biondi Zoccai
Francesca Romana Zimatore
Laura Adelaide Dalla Vecchia
Lifestyle and Pharmacological Interventions to Prevent Anthracycline-Related Cardiotoxicity in Cancer Patients
Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease
anthracyclines
anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity
prevention
exercise
pharmacological strategies
cardio-oncology
title Lifestyle and Pharmacological Interventions to Prevent Anthracycline-Related Cardiotoxicity in Cancer Patients
title_full Lifestyle and Pharmacological Interventions to Prevent Anthracycline-Related Cardiotoxicity in Cancer Patients
title_fullStr Lifestyle and Pharmacological Interventions to Prevent Anthracycline-Related Cardiotoxicity in Cancer Patients
title_full_unstemmed Lifestyle and Pharmacological Interventions to Prevent Anthracycline-Related Cardiotoxicity in Cancer Patients
title_short Lifestyle and Pharmacological Interventions to Prevent Anthracycline-Related Cardiotoxicity in Cancer Patients
title_sort lifestyle and pharmacological interventions to prevent anthracycline related cardiotoxicity in cancer patients
topic anthracyclines
anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity
prevention
exercise
pharmacological strategies
cardio-oncology
url https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3425/12/6/212
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