Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity: An update on the molecular mechanism and novel therapeutic strategies for effective management

Pushkar Singh Rawat, Aiswarya Jaiswal, Amit Khurana, Jasvinder Singh Bhatti, Umashanker Navik, Pushkar Singh Rawat, Aiswarya Jaiswal, Amit Khurana, Jasvinder Singh Bhatti, Umashanker Navik

Abstract

Doxorubicin (Dox) is a secondary metabolite of the mutated strain of Streptomyces peucetius var. Caesius and belongs to the anthracyclines family. The anti-cancer activity of Dox is mainly exerted through the DNA intercalation and inhibiting topoisomerase II enzyme in fast-proliferating tumors. However, Dox causes cumulative and dose-dependent cardiotoxicity, which results in increased risks of mortality among cancer patients and thus limiting its wide clinical applications. There are several mechanisms has been proposed for doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and oxidative stress, free radical generation and apoptosis are most widely reported. Apart from this, other mechanisms are also involved in Dox-induced cardiotoxicity such as impaired mitochondrial function, a perturbation in iron regulatory protein, disruption of Ca2+ homeostasis, autophagy, the release of nitric oxide and inflammatory mediators and altered gene and protein expression that involved apoptosis. Dox also causes downregulation of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) enzyme activity which leads to a reduction in the DNA methylation process. This hypomethylation causes dysregulation in the mitochondrial genes like peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (PGC)-1-alpha (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) unit in the heart. Apart from DNA methylation, Dox treatment also alters the micro RNAs levels and histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity. Therefore, in the current review, we have provided a detailed update on the current understanding of the pathological mechanisms behind the well-known Dox-induced cardiotoxicity. Further, we have provided some of the most plausible pharmacological strategies which have been tested against Dox-induced cardiotoxicity.

Keywords: Cardiotoxicity; DNMT 1; Doxorubicin; Histone deacetylase; Oxidative stress; micro RNAs.

Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.

Source: PubMed

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