ABSTRACT Anthracyclines are highly active against different tumors in both children and adults. Doxorubicin is often adopted, alone or in combination with other anticancer drugs, for the treatment of childhood cancers. Despite their frequent use, the pharmacokinetics of anthracyclines have not been studied systematically in children. The mechanism of action, the toxicity, and the pharmacokinetic profile of doxorubicin will be described. Many data proposed for the use of anthracyclines in childhood cancers are derived from adult studies. Many concerns are raised about their potential toxicity especially in the treatment of young children with doxorubicin. Dosing is empiric and a rational basis for dose modifications in children of different ages is lacking. There are no definitive results on age-dependent changes in doxorubicin clearance. There are only very few pharmacokinetic investigations of doxorubicin in children. It is fundamental for the clinicians to be aware of the toxicity and pharmacologic profile of these anticancer drugs for their safe and optimal clinical use.
View Full Article
|