Analysis of cardiotoxicity from rh-endostatin therapy combined with chemotherapy

Objective To evaluate the cardotoxicity from recombinant human endostatin (rh-endostatin) combined with chemotherapy. Methods A total of 12 cancer patients treated with rhendostatin combined with chemotherapy were selected, and their clinical data collected. Their symptoms, including cardiopalmus, chest distress, dyspnea and changes in their electrocardiogram (ECG), myocardium enzymogram and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), were observed during the drug treatment. These indicators were used for early diagnosis of cardiotoxicity. Results Compared with a pre-therapeutic value, there was a significant increase in the CK-MB value at one week after starting the treatment as well as at the end of treatment ( P < 0.05). There was a significant change in the ECG at the end of treatment, compared to a pre-therapeutic condition ( P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference when comparing the pre-and post-therapeutic LVEF values. Conclusion It was recognized that mild cardiac adverse reactions exist in the regimen of recombinant human endostatin combined with chemotherapy. This therapy caused definite injury to the cardiac muscle, but cardiac functions were not obviously changed. CK-MB and ECG may be used as indicators for early monitoring cardiac toxicity. Vigilance against cardiac adverse reactions should be heightened during a course of rh-endostatin combined with chemotherapy.