Different anthracycline derivates for reducing cardiotoxicity in cancer patients. Cochrane Collaboration Database Systematic Review

CONCLUSIONS:
We are not able to favour either epirubicin or doxorubicin when given with the same dose. Based on the currently available evidence on heart failure, we conclude that in adults with a solid tumour liposomal-encapsulated doxorubicin should be favoured over doxorubicin. For both epirubicin versus doxorubicin and liposomal-encapsulated doxorubicin versus conventional doxorubicin no conclusions can be made about the effects of treatment in children treated with anthracyclines and also not in patients diagnosed with leukaemia. More research is needed. For other combinations of anthracycline derivates not enough evidence was available to make definitive conclusions about the occurrence of cardiotoxicity in patients treated with anthracyclines.

CCardiology

Probably an important review but it would have been more helpful for the general practitioner if the authors also reviewed or at least discussed the role of ACE-Inhibitors given before anthracycline treatment in these patients.

ommentary (1) at present: