Primary prevention of cardiotoxicity in paediatric cancer patients
receiving anthracyclines: systematic review and meta-analysis of
efficacy and safety profiles
Abstract
Aims: This review aims to evaluate prospective controlled
trials of primary prevention of anthracycline cardiotoxicity in
paediatric cancer patients. Methods and Results: Prospective
controlled trials in which any cardioprotective agent was compared to no
additional therapy or placebo in paediatric cancer patients receiving
anthracyclines (PROSPERO: CRD42022367791). Outcomes were assessed using
random and fixed-effects meta-analysis models as well as a synthesis
without meta-analysis approach. A total of 24 reports of 19 trials were
included in our review, 11 trials administered dexrazoxane, two trials
administered the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril, one
trial administered the beta-blocker carvedilol, one omega-3 fatty acids,
one coenzyme Q10, one amifostine, one silymarin and one black seed oil.
A total of 1333 paediatric patients receiving anthracyclines were
included in meta-analysis of the cardio-protective effect of dexrazoxane
in reducing the risk of developing significant systolic dysfunction. A
risk ratio of 0.44 (95% CI: 0.33 to 0.61; I2 = 0%) was found, showing
that the administration of dexrazoxane was highly effective. Overall,
enalapril, carvedilol and dexrazoxane resulted in less left ventricular
dysfunction and fewer cardiac biomarker abnormalities compared to
placebo. Omega-3 fatty acids, silymarin and black seed oil each
demonstrated benefit through less reduction of systolic function and
fewer cardiac biomarker abnormalities. Conclusion: Enalapril
and dexrazoxane are highly effective in preventing the
anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in paediatric cancer patients with
a highly acceptable safety profile. More randomised-controlled trials
are required to reach a conclusion on the efficacy of omega-3 fatty
acids, co-enzyme Q10 and amifostine.