Mitoxantrone: Update on Cardiac Risk

In 2000, mitoxantrone was approved by the FDA for secondary progressive, worsening relapsing-remitting, and progressive-relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The drug's use has been limited by concerns about potential cardiotoxicity and acute leukemia. To provide more data on its cardiotoxicity, researchers conducted this retrospective chart review of 163 patients followed at their clinic for nearly 10 years.

Median follow-up duration was slightly more than 1 year, and mean cumulative dose (59.7 mg/m²) was well below the suggested lifetime ceiling of 140 mg/m². Nonetheless, 14% of mitoxantrone-treated patients with normal baseline left ventricular ejection fractions experienced decreased ejection fractions on follow-up multiple-gated a…