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Journal of the National Cancer Institute Apr 2016Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated that dexrazoxane reduces anthracycline cardiotoxicity in adults, but use in children has been hindered by... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated that dexrazoxane reduces anthracycline cardiotoxicity in adults, but use in children has been hindered by lack of direct evidence of cardioprotection and concerns regarding second malignant neoplasms (SMNs). This study aimed to systematically review the evidence regarding dexrazoxane in children.
METHODS
We searched Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and abstracts for RCTs and nonrandomized studies (NRSs) that compared dexrazoxane to no cardioprotection among children. We combined findings using random-effects models. All statistical tests were two-sided.
RESULTS
Eleven eligible publications reported results from five RCTs (1254 patients), and 15 publications reported results from 12 NRSs (3385 patients). Dexrazoxane did not impact clinical cardiotoxicity in RCTs because of a low cardiotoxic event rate (three events among all patients) but was associated with a reduction in subclinical cardiotoxicity. Among NRSs, dexrazoxane was associated with a reduction in clinical cardiotoxicity (relative risk (RR) = 0.29, P = .001) and clinical+subclinical cardiotoxicity (RR = 0.43, P < .001). Among RCTs, 17 of 635 (2.7%) patients treated with dexrazoxane developed an SMN compared with seven of 619 (1.1%) who did not receive dexrazoxane (RR = 2.37, P = .06). Two RCTs that used concurrent etoposide reported an increased risk of acute myeloid leukemia, while one that used cranial radiation reported an increased risk of brain tumors. Event-free survival did not differ (P = .91).
CONCLUSION
Dexrazoxane is associated with a statistically significant risk reduction for most cardiotoxic outcomes. Dexrazoxane is associated with a statistically borderline increase in SMNs, possibly because of an interaction with concurrent cancer therapies. The decision to use dexrazoxane in children should balance the risks of cardiotoxicity and SMNs specific to each treatment protocol.
Topics: Anthracyclines; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Bias; Cardiotonic Agents; Child; Dexrazoxane; Disease-Free Survival; Evidence-Based Medicine; Heart; Heart Diseases; Humans; Incidence; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Neoplasms, Second Primary; Risk; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 26598513
DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djv357 -
BMC Cancer May 2015The benefits associated with some cancer treatments do not come without risk. A serious side effect of some common cancer treatments is cardiotoxicity. Increased... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The benefits associated with some cancer treatments do not come without risk. A serious side effect of some common cancer treatments is cardiotoxicity. Increased recognition of the public health implications of cancer treatment-induced cardiotoxicity has resulted in a proliferation of systematic reviews in this field to guide practice. Quality appraisal of these reviews is likely to limit the influence of biased conclusions from systematic reviews that have used poor methodology related to clinical decision-making. The aim of this meta-review is to appraise and synthesise evidence from only high quality systematic reviews focused on the prevention, detection or management of cancer treatment-induced cardiotoxicity.
METHODS
Using Cochrane methodology, we searched databases, citations and hand-searched bibliographies. Two reviewers independently appraised reviews and extracted findings. A total of 18 high quality systematic reviews were subsequently analysed, 67 % (n = 12) of these comprised meta-analyses.
RESULTS
One systematic review concluded that there is insufficient evidence regarding the utility of cardiac biomarkers for the detection of cardiotoxicity. The following strategies might reduce the risk of cardiotoxicity: 1) The concomitant administration of dexrazoxane with anthracylines; 2) The avoidance of anthracyclines where possible; 3) The continuous administration of anthracyclines (>6 h) rather than bolus dosing; and 4) The administration of anthracycline derivatives such as epirubicin or liposomal-encapsulated doxorubicin instead of doxorubicin. In terms of management, one review focused on medical interventions for treating anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity during or after treatment of childhood cancer. Neither intervention (enalapril and phosphocreatine) was associated with statistically significant improvement in ejection fraction or mortality.
CONCLUSION
This review highlights the lack of high level evidence to guide clinical decision-making with respect to the detection and management of cancer treatment-associated cardiotoxicity. There is more evidence with respect to the prevention of this adverse effect of cancer treatment. This evidence, however, only applies to anthracycline-based chemotherapy in a predominantly adult population. There is no high-level evidence to guide clinical decision-making regarding the prevention, detection or management of radiation-induced cardiotoxicity.
Topics: Animals; Anthracyclines; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Cardiotoxicity; Databases, Bibliographic; Disease Management; Humans; Neoplasms
PubMed: 25948399
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1407-6 -
European Journal of Cancer (Oxford,... Sep 2013Cardiotoxicity is a well-recognised complication of chemotherapy with anthracycline and/or trastuzumab, and its prevention remains an important challenge in cancer... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Cardiotoxicity is a well-recognised complication of chemotherapy with anthracycline and/or trastuzumab, and its prevention remains an important challenge in cancer survivorship. Several successful preventative strategies have been identified in animal trials. We sought to assemble the clinical evidence that prophylactic pharmacological interventions could prevent left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and heart failure in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
METHODS
We undertook a systemic review of the evidence from randomised trials and observational studies where a prophylactic intervention was compared with a control arm in patients with a normal ejection fraction and no past history of heart failure. The primary outcome was development of heart failure (HF), a drop in ejection fraction (EF) or both. A random-effects model was used to combine relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and a meta-regression was undertaken to assess the impact of potential covariates.
FINDINGS
Data were collated from 14 published articles (n=2015 paediatric and adult patients) comprising 12 randomised controlled trials and two observational studies. The most studied chemotherapeutic agents were anthracyclines, and prophylactic agents included dexrazoxane, statins, beta-blocker and angiotensin antagonists. There were 304 cardiac events in the control arm compared to 83 in the prophylaxis arm (RR=0.31 [95% CI: 0.25-0.39], p<0.00001). Cardiac events were reduced with dexrazoxane (RR=0.35 [95% CI 0.27-0.45], p<0.00001), beta-blockade (RR=0.31 [95% CI 0.16-0.63], p=0.001), statin (RR=0.31 [95% CI 0.13-0.77], p=0.01) and angiotensin antagonists (RR=0.11 [95% CI 0.04-0.29], p<0.0001).
INTERPRETATION
Prophylactic treatment with dexrazoxane, beta-blocker, statin or angiotensin antagonists appear to have similar efficacy for reducing cardiotoxicity.
Topics: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Adult; Aged; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Antineoplastic Agents; Cardiotonic Agents; Chi-Square Distribution; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Heart Failure; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Risk Factors; Stroke Volume; Treatment Outcome; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left; Ventricular Function, Left
PubMed: 23706982
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2013.04.030 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jun 2011Anthracyclines are among the most effective chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of numerous malignancies. Unfortunately, their use is limited by a dose-dependent... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Anthracyclines are among the most effective chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of numerous malignancies. Unfortunately, their use is limited by a dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. In an effort to prevent this cardiotoxicity, different cardioprotective agents have been studied.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this review was to assess the efficacy of different cardioprotective agents in preventing heart damage in cancer patients treated with anthracyclines.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 10), MEDLINE (1966 to November 2010) and EMBASE (1980 to November 2010) databases. In addition, we handsearched reference lists, conference proceedings of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meetings (1998 to 2010) and ongoing trials registers.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which any cardioprotective agent was compared to no additional therapy or placebo in cancer patients (children and adults) receiving anthracyclines.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently performed the study selection, risk of bias assessment and data extraction including adverse effects.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified RCTs for the eight cardioprotective agents N-acetylcysteine, phenethylamines, coenzyme Q10, a combination of vitamins E and C and N-acetylcysteine, L-carnitine, carvedilol, amifostine and dexrazoxane (mostly for adults with advanced breast cancer). All studies had methodological limitations and for the first seven agents there were too few studies to allow pooling of results. None of the individual studies showed a cardioprotective effect. The 10 included studies on dexrazoxane enrolled 1619 patients. The meta-analysis for dexrazoxane showed a statistically significant benefit in favour of dexrazoxane for the occurrence of heart failure (risk ratio (RR) 0.29, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.41). No evidence was found for a difference in response rate or survival between the dexrazoxane and control groups. The results for adverse effects were ambiguous. No significant difference in the occurrence of secondary malignancies was identified.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
No definitive conclusions can be made about the efficacy of cardioprotective agents for which pooling of results was impossible. Dexrazoxane prevents heart damage and no evidence for a difference in response rate or survival between the dexrazoxane and control groups was identified. The evidence available did not allow us to reach any definite conclusions about adverse effects. We conclude that if the risk of cardiac damage is expected to be high, it might be justified to use dexrazoxane in patients with cancer treated with anthracyclines. However, clinicians should weigh the cardioprotective effect of dexrazoxane against the possible risk of adverse effects for each individual patient.
Topics: Anthracyclines; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Cardiotonic Agents; Cytoprotection; Heart Diseases; Humans; Neoplasms; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Razoxane
PubMed: 21678342
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003917.pub4 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Apr 2008Anthracyclines are among the most effective chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of numerous malignancies. Unfortunately, their use is limited by a dose-dependent... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Anthracyclines are among the most effective chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of numerous malignancies. Unfortunately, their use is limited by a dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. In an effort to prevent this cardiotoxicity, different cardioprotective agents have been studied.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this review was to assess the efficacy of different cardioprotective agents in preventing heart damage in cancer patients treated with anthracyclines.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched the databases of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, Issue 2, 2007), MEDLINE (1966 to April 2007) and EMBASE (1980 to April 2007). In addition, we handsearched reference lists and conference proceedings of the SIOP and ASCO meetings (1998 to 2006).
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which any cardioprotective agent was compared to no additional or placebo therapy in cancer patients (children and adults) receiving anthracyclines.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently performed the study selection, quality assessment and data-extraction including adverse effects.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified RCTs for seven cardioprotective agents: N-acetylcysteine, phenetylamines, coenzyme Q10, combination of vitamins E and C and N-acetylcysteine, L-carnitine, carvedilol and dexrazoxane (mostly adults with advanced breast cancer). All studies had methodological limitations. For the first six agents, there were too few studies to allow pooling of results. None of the individual studies showed a cardioprotective effect. The nine included studies of dexrazoxane enrolled 1403 patients. The meta-analysis of dexrazoxane showed a statistically significant benefit in favour of dexrazoxane for the occurrence of heart failure (Relative Risk (RR) 0.29, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.41). No evidence was found for a difference in response rate or survival between the dexrazoxane and control group. Only for one adverse effect (abnormal white blood cell count at nadir) a difference in favour of the control group was identified.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
For cardioprotective agents for which pooling was impossible, no definitive conclusions can be made about their efficacy. Dexrazoxane prevents heart damage and no evidence for a difference in response rate or survival between the dexrazoxane and control group was identified. Only for an abnormal white blood cell count at nadir a clearly significant difference in favour of the control group was identified. We conclude that if the risk of cardiac damage is expected to be high, it might be justified to use dexrazoxane in patients with cancer treated with anthracyclines. However, for each individual patient clinicians should weigh the cardioprotective effect of dexrazoxane against the possible risk of adverse effects.
Topics: Anthracyclines; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Cardiotonic Agents; Cytoprotection; Heart Diseases; Humans; Neoplasms; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 18425895
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003917.pub3 -
European Journal of Cancer (Oxford,... Sep 2007To evaluate the effectiveness of cardiac markers to quantify anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in children with cancer. (Review)
Review
AIM
To evaluate the effectiveness of cardiac markers to quantify anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in children with cancer.
METHODS
Systematic review using a priori methods.
RESULTS
Seven studies, all with methodological limitations, were identified. One RCT suggests that cardiac troponin can be used to assess the effectiveness of the cardio-protective agent dexrazoxane. Cohort studies suggest that atrial natriuretic peptide and brain (B-type) natriuretic peptide are elevated in some subgroups of patients compared with healthy children; NT-pro-BNP levels are significantly elevated in children with cardiac dysfunction compared with those without; serum lipid peroxide is higher in children who have received doxorubicin compared with children not receiving doxorubicin; there are no differences in carnitine levels between children treated with doxorubicin and a healthy control group.
CONCLUSIONS
The limited evidence makes conclusions difficult. Research is needed to fill this important evidence gap and link short-term changes in cardiac markers to longer-term cardiac damage.
Topics: Anthracyclines; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Biomarkers; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Heart; Heart Diseases; Humans; Neoplasms; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Survivors
PubMed: 17689066
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2007.06.012 -
Health Technology Assessment... Jul 2007To evaluate the technologies used to reduce anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in children. Also to evaluate cardiac markers to quantify cardiotoxicity, and identify... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the technologies used to reduce anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in children. Also to evaluate cardiac markers to quantify cardiotoxicity, and identify cost-effectiveness studies and future research priorities.
DATA SOURCES
Eight electronic databases were searched from inception to January 2006. Bibliographies of related papers were assessed for relevant studies and experts contacted to identify additional published references.
REVIEW METHODS
A systematic review of the evidence was undertaken using a priori methods.
RESULTS
Four randomised controlled trials (RCTs) met the inclusion criteria of the review, each considering a different cardioprotective intervention; all trials included children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, and one also included children with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, all had methodological limitations. No cost-effectiveness studies were identified. One RCT and six cohort studies on the use of cardiac markers met the inclusion criteria of the review, but also had methodological limitations. Of the two RCTs that considered continuous infusion versus bolus (rapid) infusion, one found that continuous infusion of doxorubicin did not offer any cardioprotection over bolus; the other suggested that continuous infusion of daunorubicin had less cardiotoxicity than bolus. Two studies considered cardioprotective agents, one concluded that dexrazoxane prevents or reduces cardiac injury without compromising the antileukaemic efficacy of doxorubicin and the other reported a protective effect of coenzyme Q10 on cardiac function during anthracycline therapy. One RCT suggested that cardiac troponin T can be used to assess the effectiveness of the cardioprotective agent dexrazoxane. Two cohort studies considering atrial natriuretic peptide and two considering brain (B-type) natriuretic peptide suggested that these chemicals are elevated in some subgroups of children treated with anthracyclines for cancer. N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide levels were significantly elevated in children treated with anthracyclines who had cardiac dysfunction. One cohort study found that serum lipid peroxide was higher in younger children treated with doxorubicin than correspondingly aged children not receiving doxorubicin. No differences in carnitine levels were found in children treated with doxorubicin and a group of healthy children in one cohort study.
CONCLUSIONS
It is difficult to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of technologies for reducing or preventing cardiotoxicity and about the use of cardiac markers in children as the evidence is limited in quantity and quality. The lack of standardisation for monitoring and reporting cardiac performance is problematic. Not all studies report effectiveness in terms of cardiac outcomes and event-free survival with supporting statistical analyses. Studies are mostly small and of short duration, making generalisation difficult. Increasing numbers of survivors of childhood cancer treated with anthracyclines will experience cardiac damage and require long-term surveillance and management. This will have an impact on cardiac services and costs. Diverse medical problems and other late sequelae that affect cardiac outcome will have an impact on other specialist services. Mechanisms to reduce or prevent cardiotoxicity from anthracycline therapy and cardiac markers to improve monitoring could alter the extent of this impact on service provision. RCTs of the different methods for reducing or preventing cardiotoxicity in children treated with anthracyclines for cancer with long-term follow-up are needed to determine whether the technologies influence the development of cardiac damage. Cost-effectiveness research is also required.
Topics: Anthracyclines; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Biomarkers; Cardiovascular Agents; Child; Drug Administration Schedule; Heart Diseases; Heart Failure; Humans; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma
PubMed: 17610809
DOI: 10.3310/hta11270 -
British Journal of Cancer Jan 2007This review systematically assessed the evidence on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of cardioprotection against the toxic effects of anthracyclines given to children... (Review)
Review
This review systematically assessed the evidence on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of cardioprotection against the toxic effects of anthracyclines given to children with cancer. We searched eight electronic databases, including Medline and the Cochrane Library, from inception to January 2006 for systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials that reported death, heart failure, arrhythmias or measures of cardiac performance associated with cardioprotective technologies compared with standard treatment in children treated for cancer with anthracyclines. Economic evaluations were also sought. Inclusion criteria, data extraction and quality assessment were undertaken by standard methodology. Four randomised controlled trials met the inclusion criteria of the review; each had methodological limitations. No economic evaluations were identified. Studies were combined through narrative synthesis. One trial found that continuous infusion of doxorubicin did not offer any cardioprotection over rapid infusion. One suggested that continuous infusion of daunorubicin provoked less cardiotoxicity than rapid infusion. One concluded that dexrazoxane reduces cardiac injury during doxorubicin therapy and one reported a protective effect of coenzyme Q(10) on cardiac function during anthracycline therapy. The evidence on the effectiveness of cardioprotective technologies in children is limited in quality and quantity thus making conclusions difficult. This is surprising given the importance of anthracycline use in children with cancer. Further long-term research, which includes relevant outcome measures, is needed to determine whether technologies influence the development of cardiac damage without limiting the antitumour efficacy of anthracyclines.
Topics: Anthracyclines; Cardiotonic Agents; Child; Humans; State Medicine
PubMed: 17242696
DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6603562 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jan 2005Anthracyclines are among the most effective chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of numerous malignancies. Unfortunately, their use is limited by a dose-dependent... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Anthracyclines are among the most effective chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of numerous malignancies. Unfortunately, their use is limited by a dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. In an effort to prevent this cardiotoxicity, different cardioprotective agents have been studied.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this review was to assess the efficacy of different cardioprotective agents in preventing heart damage in cancer patients treated with anthracyclines.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched the databases of CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2002), MEDLINE (1966 to August 2002) and EMBASE (1980 to August 2002). In addition, we handsearched reference lists and conference proceedings of the International Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (1998 to 2002).
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which any cardioprotective agent was compared to no additional or placebo therapy in cancer patients (children and adults) receiving anthracyclines.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two reviewers independently performed the study selection, quality assessment and data-extraction including adverse effects.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified RCTs for 5 cardioprotective agents: N-acetylcysteine (1 study; 54 patients), phenetylamines (2 studies; 100 patients), coenzyme Q10 (1 study; 20 patients), combination of vitamin E, vitamin C and N-acetylcysteine (1 study; 14 patients) and dexrazoxane (6 studies; 1013 patients). All studies had methodological limitations. Due to the insufficient number of studies, for the first four mentioned cardioprotective agents pooling of the results was impossible. None of the individual studies showed a cardioprotective effect. The meta-analysis of the dexrazoxane-studies showed a statistically significant benefit in favour of dexrazoxane for the occurrence of heart failure (Relative Risk (RR) = 0.28, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.18 to 0.42, P < 0.00001). No statistically significant difference in response rate between the dexrazoxane and control group was found (RR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.01, P = 0.06), but there was some suggestion that patients treated with dexrazoxane might have a lower anti-tumour response rate. Our meta-analysis of survival showed no significant difference between the dexrazoxane and control group. For adverse effects pooling was impossible. However, no important differences in the occurrence of side effects were found. The majority of the patients included in this meta-analysis were adults with advanced breast cancer.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
For cardioprotective agents for which pooling was impossible no high quality evidence was available and therefore, no definitive conclusions can be made about their efficacy. Dexrazoxane prevents heart damage, however there was some suggestion that patients treated with dexrazoxane might have a lower anti-tumour response rate. There was no significant difference in survival between the dexrazoxane and control group. We conclude that if the risk of cardiac damage is expected to be high, it might be justified to use dexrazoxane in patients with cancer treated with anthracyclines. However, for each individual patient clinicians should weigh the cardioprotective effect of dexrazoxane against the possible risk of a lower response rate.
Topics: Anthracyclines; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Cardiotonic Agents; Cytoprotection; Heart Diseases; Humans; Neoplasms; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 15674919
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003917.pub2