Work

Immune cell subtype contributions to doxorubicin cardiotoxicity–defining immune targets for translational interventions

Year: 2025

Type: review

Abstract: Doxorubicin (DOX) remains a cornerstone in the treatment of various malignancies, but its clinical use is limited by cardiotoxicity, a leading cause of heart failure in cancer survivors. While oxidative stress and direct myocardial injury have long been implicated in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC), emerging evidence highlights the central role of immune dysregulation in disease progression. In particular, neutrophils, macrophages, and T cells orchestrate inflammatory responses that contribute to cardiomyocyte injury, adverse remodeling, and fibrosis. Recent findings also point to novel mediators that may serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets. This review synthesizes current evidence on immune mechanisms underlying DIC and discusses how improved understanding of these pathways may inform immunomodulatory strategies to reduce cardiac injury without compromising anticancer efficacy.

Source: Current Opinion in Pharmacology

DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2025.102581

Authors: Jens Van fraeyenhove, Giulia Guerra, Emilio Hirsch, Alessandra Ghigo

Institution: University of Turin

Language: English

Topic: Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity and mitigation

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,510