2023/07/27 by Roberto Mattioli, Andrea Ilari, Beatrice Colotti +3 · 277 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · #Anthracycline #Biology #Breast cancer #Cancer #Cancer Treatment and Pharmacology #Cancer therapeutics and mechanisms #Cardiotoxicity #Chemotherapy #Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity and mitigation #Doxorubicin #Internal medicine #Medicine #Mode of action #Oncology #Pharmacology #Toxicity #Toxicology
paper · doi:10.1016/j.mam.2023.101205
published in Molecular Aspects of Medicine 93, 101205 (Elsevier BV)
openalex publication_date 2023/07/27 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Anthracyclines have been important and effective treatments against a number of cancers since their discovery. However, their use in therapy has been complicated by severe side effects and toxicity that occur during or after treatment, including cardiotoxicity. The mode of action of anthracyclines is complex, with several mechanisms proposed. It is possible that their high toxicity is due to the large set of processes involved in anthracycline action. The development of resistance is a major barrier to successful treatment when using anthracyclines. This resistance is based on a series of mechanisms that have been studied and addressed in recent years. This work provides an overview of the anthracyclines used in cancer therapy. It discusses their mechanisms of activity, toxicity, and chemoresistance, as well as the approaches used to improve their activity, decrease their toxicity, and overcome resistance.