Low Rates of Cardioprotection Found in Cancer Patients
A study found few adults with blood cancers receive preventive care while undergoing anthracycline-based treatment.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Cancer
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Fewer than 3% of adults with hematologic malignancies receive cardioprotective prophylaxis during anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Researchers identified age, sex, and insurance type as key factors in whether patients receive these strategies.
Why it matters
Anthracyclines carry significant risks of heart damage, yet the low uptake of preventive measures leaves many patients vulnerable to potential long-term cardiotoxicity. Understanding these gaps is essential for improving clinical practices in oncology.
The study of 13,331 patients found that 2.4% of de novo AML patients and 1.1% of DLBCL patients received frontline cardioprotection. Roughly 6% of those treated develop cardiotoxicity, while 18% experience subclinical effects.
The players
Flatiron Health Research Database
This is a comprehensive clinical data resource used by researchers to analyze real-world treatment patterns and outcomes for oncology patients.
The details
Researchers utilized the Flatiron Health Research Database to analyze treatment patterns for adults diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma. Findings showed that among patients receiving cardioprotective care, 67.1% were administered liposomal formulations while 32.9% received dexrazoxane.
Timeline
Anthracyclines have been a fixture in cancer treatment since the 1980s.
Dexrazoxane usage in children with AML reached 11% between 2010 and 2015.
Dexrazoxane usage in children with AML increased to 92% between 2019 and 2021.
A state-of-the-art review on cardiotoxicity risks was published in 2024.
Health Landscape
The study highlights a stark contrast between the high adoption rates of prophylaxis in pediatric oncology and the minimal usage currently observed in the adult population.
Patients undergoing anthracycline-based chemotherapy should discuss potential cardiotoxicity risks and available preventive strategies with their oncology team. This awareness can help ensure that appropriate prophylactic measures are considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
The takeaway
Clinicians must prioritize the evaluation of cardiac risks before initiating anthracycline therapies in adults. Further prospective trials are needed to clarify the long-term benefits of routine cardioprotection for these specific patient populations.
Further reading
For more on the current research regarding disease prevention and treatment, see the Cancer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Healio.
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