5-fluorouracil and cardiotoxicity: a review

Jaskanwal D. Sara, Jasvinder Kaur, Ryan Khodadadi, Muneeb Rehman, Ronstan Lobo, Sakti Chakrabarti, Joerg Herrmann, Amir Lerman, Axel Grothey

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

76 Scopus citations

Abstract

Fluoropyrimidines such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) form the foundation of a wide variety of chemotherapy regimens. 5-FU is in fact the third most commonly used chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of solid malignancies across the world. As with all chemotherapy, balancing the potential benefits of therapy against the risks of drug-related toxicity is crucial when clinicians and patients make shared decisions about treatment. 5-FU is the second most common chemotherapeutic drug associated with cardiotoxicity after anthracyclines, which can manifest as chest pain, acute coronary syndrome/myocardial infarction or death. Nevertheless a widespread appreciation of 5-FU-related cardiotoxicity and its implications is lacking amongst clinicians. In this review, we outline the incidence, possible risk factors, and likely pathophysiological mechanisms that may account for 5-FU-related cardiotoxicity and also highlight potential management strategies for this poorly understood clinical entity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalTherapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology
Volume10
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2018

Keywords

  • 5-fluorouracil
  • cardiotoxicity
  • chemotherapy
  • coronary vasospasm
  • fluoropyrimidine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology

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