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Dexrazoxane

Editor: Manidhar Reddy Lekkala Updated: 7/17/2023 8:49:55 PM

Indications

Dexrazoxane, an FDA-approved cardioprotective drug, has been successfully used to ameliorate cardiac toxicity seen in anthracycline-based (e.g., doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin) chemotherapy recipients for cancer, mainly in advanced breast cancer patients, adult patients with soft tissue sarcomas, or small-cell lung cancer.[1][2] It is used intravenously in conjunction with the anthracycline of choice to decrease the incidence of cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure.[3] 

Dexrazoxane has also shown an indication in the prevention of surrounding tissue damage caused by extravasation of anthracyclines, which can occur upon administration of these chemotherapeutic drugs.[4]

However, dexrazoxane treatment does not completely eliminate the risk of cardiac toxicity induced by anthracyclines, so it is necessary to check on the patient’s cardiac function before and consistently during therapy to analyze the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

FDA-approved indications:

1. Reduction of incidence and severity of cardiac dysfunction associated with anthracycline use.

2. Dexrazoxane can also be used to treat tissue damage caused by anthracyclines when they leak from the vein while being administered.

Non-FDA-approved indication:

Although a study is still underway as of this writing, dexrazoxane may act as a beneficial neuroprotectant to treat neurodegeneration in patients with Parkinson's disease.[5]

Mechanism of Action

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Mechanism of Action

Anthracyclines are known to potentiate cytotoxic effects via different mechanisms, which include intercalating into nuclear DNA, the creation of reactive oxygen species, and inducing apoptosis or cell death.

Dexrazoxane appears to ameliorate the cardiotoxicity seen with anthracyclines by fusing with free and bound iron, thereby decreasing the formation of anthracycline-iron complexes, and eventually, the production of reactive oxygen species which are harmful to the surrounding cardiac tissue.[1] 

Dexrazoxane is known to be from the family of compounds known as bisdioxopiperazine. Unlike its iron-chelating analog ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), dexrazoxane is ring enclosed and hydrophilic. However, unlike EDTA, it diffuses into cells readily. Upon its chemical breakdown, dexrazoxane transforms into a form similar to EDTA, a potent iron chelator; this, consequently, displaces excess iron from the anthracycline thought to be liable, in part, for the cardiomyopathy seen with anthracyclines.[6]

Dexrazoxane also acts as a DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor, which happens to be the same target of the DNA topoisomerase II anti-cancer agent (e.g., the anthracyclines), antagonizing the formation of the topoisomerase II cleavage complex and also rapidly degrading topoisomerase II beta.[7]

Dexrazoxane, however, does not induce harmful breaks in the double-strands of DNA as the anthracyclines.[8] 

Dexrazoxane was also found to enhance the viability of cells and impose cardiac function protection by attenuating the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and necroptosis simultaneously after treatment with doxorubicin via interference of the p38MAPK/NF-κB pathways.[9]

Administration

The drug's administration is usually via intravenous infusion over 15 minutes. It is not recommended as a push.

The suggested dosage ratio of dexrazoxane to doxorubicin is 10 to 1 (e.g., 500 mg/m^2 dexrazoxane to 50 mg/m^2 doxorubicin). It is advisable to give dexrazoxane before doxorubicin. Administration of doxorubicin within half an hour after the completion of dexrazoxane infusion is recommended.

Administer the diluted solution of dexrazoxane in lactated ringer's intravenously over a quarter of an hour (15 minutes) before doxorubicin. Doxorubicin is usually infused approximately 30 minutes after dexrazoxane. It is not advisable to use dexrazoxane with a non-anthracycline chemotherapy regimen.

For extravasation prevention, the proposed dosage and rate is 1,000 mg/minute IV within 6 hours post extravasation. This administration is then followed with doses of 1,000 mg/minute and 500 mg/minute after 2 and 3 days, respectively.

Dosing mechanism differs in people with renal or hepatic impairment. 

Dosing in Renal Impaired Patients:

The dose of dexrazoxane requires a reduction in patients who have moderate to significant renal impairment (e.g., creatinine clearance lower than 40 mL/min) by 50%, i.e., dexrazoxane to doxorubicin ratio reduced to 5 to 1 (e.g., 200 mg/m^2 dexrazoxane: 40 mg/m^2 doxorubicin).

Dosing in Hepatic Impairment:

In a patient with hyperbilirubinemia, it is necessary to decrease the dosage of doxorubicin, leading to a subsequent dosage reduction of dexrazoxane in this group of patients, while still maintaining the 10 to 1 ratio.

Dexrazoxane is recommended for use only in patients who have been administered an increasing doxorubicin dose of 300 mg/m^2, or doses of epirubicin >550 mg/m^2 and are continuing with anthracycline therapy.[10]

Adverse Effects

The common side effects that culminate from dexrazoxane use include dose-limiting myelotoxicity (neutropenia, leukopenia, granulocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia), which is very similar to the side-effect profile of anthracyclines. It is, therefore, challenging to distinguish the adverse effects seen with dexrazoxane use from those of anthracycline chemotherapy. Other adverse effects include nausea/vomiting, increased renal excretion of iron and zinc, hair loss, mucositis, inconsistent increases in liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase), reactions at the injection site such as pain, superficial phlebitis, which led to the recommendation that dexrazoxane should be administered via a large vein.[4][11][12] Embryo-fetal toxicity and male infertility were also noted in studies conducted on mice.

Recently, there have been concerns about the risk, particularly in pediatric patients, with long-term effects of dexrazoxane, who continuously received doses to inhibit cardiotoxicity. Although very sporadic, the incidence of other primary malignancies (myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia) in the patient group treated with dexrazoxane manifested a threefold increase compared with controls, which researchers documented in two randomized studies.[13][14]

Contraindications

According to the FDA, dexrazoxane classifies as a Category D drug.

In a study conducted on pregnant mice and rabbits, dexrazoxane dispensation led to toxicities in embryos and their mothers, as well as embryonal malformation at doses notably lower than those clinically approved for human use.

Dexrazoxane use could also lead to infertility in males based on its effects on a repeated dose toxicology research. During this study, rats and dogs received the drug every week for six weeks, in doses that were significantly lower than the specified human dose, with the dogs receiving doses equal to those given to humans. These led to notable cases of testicular atrophy in these test subjects, subsequently attributed to dexrazoxane use.

Monitoring

There are no current guidelines in place for monitoring dexrazoxane. However, this drug leads to an acute rise in liver protein production, which may be indicated as increased liver function tests (LFT), i.e., elevated alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase. Constant monitoring of liver enzymes may be required with the administration of dexrazoxane, keeping in mind that a combination of both dexrazoxane and doxorubicin would lead to a greater increase in hepatic protein production than dexrazoxane alone.[15]

Toxicity

There are no data on toxicity in the trials of dexrazoxane, and no known antidote for a reversal exists in the literature.

In cases of a suspected overdose, management using good supportive care is advisable. These interventions include targeting areas such as infection treatment and control, fluid management, with regular preservation of nutritional requirements.

Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes

Dexrazoxane is approved clinically for anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (reducing the incidence of congestive heart failure and LVEF dysfunction) and extravasation. This drug is only recommended for use intravenously. Healthcare providers comprising of physicians (ranging from the patient's primary care provider to the oncologist as well a psychologist to deal with any form of mental illness the patient could be going through), nurses and pharmacists, need to be cognizant of the most common side effects of this drug which is myelosuppression and work together to assess dosage of this drug, adjusting doses if and when necessary to combat adverse consequences seen with myelosuppression, monitor hematological function, and tackle any early signs of infection or bleeding. It is also critical to note that dexrazoxane does not completely improve cardiac dysfunction associated with the use of anthracyclines; hence constant monitoring of heart function should be advised.

It is also important to get a cardio-oncologist specialist involved when heart failure or a significant decline of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) occurs during chemotherapy. This assistance is critical for careful decision making regarding further exposure to cardiotoxic cancer treatment.

Oncology nurses will be administering this drug in most cases and need to be conversant with the adverse effects which could mimic those seen with anthracyclines, reporting any issues to the physician team as well as assessing the patient's vitals and injection sites for any signs of inflammation. Patients should be made aware of the adverse reaction seen with dexrazoxane and advised to report any changes noted as soon as possible. 

Their obstetrician should also counsel patients on pregnancy planning and prevention as this medication is a known teratogen and can cause fetal harm. Female patients should use effective contraception during treatment.

It is unknown if dexrazoxane is secreted in breast milk, has any effect on milk production or the breastfed infant. Due to the unknown nature of this drug on milk production or secretion, women should halt breastfeeding while on dexrazoxane therapy and for two weeks after the last dose.

References


[1]

Wiseman LR, Spencer CM. Dexrazoxane. A review of its use as a cardioprotective agent in patients receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Drugs. 1998 Sep:56(3):385-403     [PubMed PMID: 9777314]

Level 3 (low-level) evidence

[2]

Cvetković RS, Scott LJ. Dexrazoxane : a review of its use for cardioprotection during anthracycline chemotherapy. Drugs. 2005:65(7):1005-24     [PubMed PMID: 15892593]

Level 1 (high-level) evidence

[3]

Lipshultz SE. Exposure to anthracyclines during childhood causes cardiac injury. Seminars in oncology. 2006 Jun:33(3 Suppl 8):S8-14     [PubMed PMID: 16781284]


[4]

Langer SW. Dexrazoxane for the treatment of chemotherapy-related side effects. Cancer management and research. 2014:6():357-63. doi: 10.2147/CMAR.S47238. Epub 2014 Sep 15     [PubMed PMID: 25246808]


[5]

Mei M, Zhou Y, Liu M, Zhao F, Wang C, Ding J, Lu M, Hu G. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of dexrazoxane on dopaminergic neuron degeneration in rodent models of Parkinson's disease. Neuropharmacology. 2019 Dec 1:160():107758. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107758. Epub 2019 Sep 5     [PubMed PMID: 31494143]


[6]

Hasinoff BB, Kuschak TI, Yalowich JC, Creighton AM. A QSAR study comparing the cytotoxicity and DNA topoisomerase II inhibitory effects of bisdioxopiperazine analogs of ICRF-187 (dexrazoxane). Biochemical pharmacology. 1995 Sep 28:50(7):953-8     [PubMed PMID: 7575679]

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Cruz M, Duarte-Rodrigues J, Campelo M. Cardiotoxicity in anthracycline therapy: Prevention strategies. Revista portuguesa de cardiologia : orgao oficial da Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia = Portuguese journal of cardiology : an official journal of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology. 2016 Jun:35(6):359-71. doi: 10.1016/j.repc.2015.12.004. Epub 2016 May 31     [PubMed PMID: 27255173]


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Nitiss JL. Targeting DNA topoisomerase II in cancer chemotherapy. Nature reviews. Cancer. 2009 May:9(5):338-50. doi: 10.1038/nrc2607. Epub 2009 Apr 20     [PubMed PMID: 19377506]

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Yu X, Ruan Y, Huang X, Dou L, Lan M, Cui J, Chen B, Gong H, Wang Q, Yan M, Sun S, Qiu Q, Zhang X, Man Y, Tang W, Li J, Shen T. Dexrazoxane ameliorates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting both apoptosis and necroptosis in cardiomyocytes. Biochemical and biophysical research communications. 2020 Feb 26:523(1):140-146. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.12.027. Epub 2019 Dec 16     [PubMed PMID: 31837803]

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[10]

Marty M, Espié M, Llombart A, Monnier A, Rapoport BL, Stahalova V, Dexrazoxane Study Group. Multicenter randomized phase III study of the cardioprotective effect of dexrazoxane (Cardioxane) in advanced/metastatic breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology. 2006 Apr:17(4):614-22     [PubMed PMID: 16423847]

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Vogel CL, Gorowski E, Davila E, Eisenberger M, Kosinski J, Agarwal RP, Savaraj N. Phase I clinical trial and pharmacokinetics of weekly ICRF-187 (NSC 169780) infusion in patients with solid tumors. Investigational new drugs. 1987:5(2):187-98     [PubMed PMID: 3115912]

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Holcenberg JS, Tutsch KD, Earhart RH, Ungerleider RS, Kamen BA, Pratt CB, Gribble TJ, Glaubiger DL. Phase I study of ICRF-187 in pediatric cancer patients and comparison of its pharmacokinetics in children and adults. Cancer treatment reports. 1986 Jun:70(6):703-9     [PubMed PMID: 3089595]


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Salzer WL, Devidas M, Carroll WL, Winick N, Pullen J, Hunger SP, Camitta BA. Long-term results of the pediatric oncology group studies for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia 1984-2001: a report from the children's oncology group. Leukemia. 2010 Feb:24(2):355-70. doi: 10.1038/leu.2009.261. Epub 2009 Dec 17     [PubMed PMID: 20016527]


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Tebbi CK, London WB, Friedman D, Villaluna D, De Alarcon PA, Constine LS, Mendenhall NP, Sposto R, Chauvenet A, Schwartz CL. Dexrazoxane-associated risk for acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome and other secondary malignancies in pediatric Hodgkin's disease. Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 2007 Feb 10:25(5):493-500     [PubMed PMID: 17290056]

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[15]

Zima T, Tesar V, Sherwood R, Sood A, Au LC, Richardson PJ, Preedy VR. Acute dosage with dexrazoxane, but not doxorubicin, is associated with increased rates of hepatic protein synthesis in vivo. Toxicologic pathology. 2001 Nov-Dec:29(6):591-9     [PubMed PMID: 11794374]

Level 3 (low-level) evidence