Carvedilol Administration Can Prevent Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity: A Double-Blind Randomized Trial

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the preventive effects of carvedilol on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Methods: In this trial, 70 female patients with breast cancer who were candidates to receive doxorubicin were enrolled, from which 30 were selected randomly to receive carvedilol 6.25 mg daily during chemotherapy, with the rest receiving placebo as the control group. Both groups were evaluated 1 week before and 1 week after chemotherapy by measuring the left ventricular ejection fraction and strain/strain rate. Results: Data analysis showed that the case group presented no significant reduction in strain and strain-rate parameters after intervention, while there was a significant reduction in these parameters in the control group (all p values <0.001). Also, the mean differences of strain parameters in the case group were significantly less than in the control group in all evaluated heart walls (basal septal strain, p = 0.005, basal lateral strain, p = 0.001, basal inferior strain, p < 0.001, and basal anterior strain, p < 0.001); the same was true for the strain-rate parameters (the p values for basal septal, basal lateral, basal inferior and basal anterior strain rate were 0.037, 0.037, 0.002 and <0.001, respectively). Conclusion: This study shows that carvedilol can prevent doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Whether this prophylaxis should be considered as the preferred method needs further investigation.

Future cancer research priorities in the USA: a Lancet Oncology Commission

“…Strategies to identify patients at greatest risk are in development, and prevention and early detection seems to greatly reduce associated morbidity. 205–208 Similarly, not all patients will experience long-term emotional distress after a cancer diagnosis, but for those who do, it can have a profound effect on quality of life, social and physical functioning, and health-care use. 209,210 Evidence-based tools to screen for distress in patients with cancer should be validated, tailored, and widely implemented for cancer survivors.…”

Liposomal Resveratrol and/or Carvedilol Attenuate Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity by Modulating Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and S100A1 in Rats

“…However, CAR enhanced hepatic dysfunction and protected against cardiotoxicity induced by DOX as confirmed by the biochemical and histopathological examinations of the hepatic and cardiac tissues [23]. The protective effect of CAR against DOX cardiomyopathies has been reported in rodent models as well as in humans [24][25][26][27]. Given its ability to selectively block β 1 -adrenoceptor (AR), CAR improves heart function and is effective in the treatment of HF [28].…”

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor attenuates doxorubicin‐induced cardiac dysfunction through activating Akt signalling in rats

“…During the past years, many studies were performed to explore the methods for attenuating Dox‐induced cardiac dysfunction . Several agents have been uncovered to protect against the cardiotoxicity of Dox such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (enalapril) , β‐blockers (metoprolol, carvediol) and resveratrol . Recently, other new measures were developed to mitigate Dox‐induced cardiomyopathy .…”