What is a significant side effect of Daunorubicin and Doxorubicin?

Doxorubicin and daunorubicin are both anthracycline chemotherapy agents that are well-known for their potential to cause cardiotoxicity. This side effect is a significant concern in patients receiving these medications, as they can lead to acute and chronic cardiomyopathy, resulting in heart failure. The mechanism behind this cardiotoxicity is primarily associated with the drug's interaction with cardiac myocytes, leading to oxidative stress and damage to the heart tissue.

One key factor that contributes to the increased risk of cardiotoxicity with these drugs is the cumulative dose. Monitoring cardiac function during treatment is essential, and clinicians often use echocardiograms or other imaging studies to assess heart health.

While other side effects are associated with chemotherapy drugs, such as nephrotoxicity seen with certain other agents, or hemorrhagic cystitis frequently caused by drugs like cyclophosphamide, these are not primary concerns for daunorubicin and doxorubicin. Ototoxicity is more closely linked with medications such as cisplatin, not with anthracyclines. Thus, cardiotoxicity stands out as a critical and well-documented side effect of both daunorubicin and doxorubicin.