Warning on long-term cardiotoxicity of mitoxantrone

Heart damage is a known side-effect of mitoxantrone, a chemotherapy drug sometimes used in worsening cases of MS; people who receive it need to be monitored for signs of heart problems. However, a new study from Belgium states that cardiotoxicity can appear years after mitoxantrone treatment is stopped. In a cohort of 52 people with MS treated with mitoxantrone up to the maximum cumulative dose, three developed congestive heart failure two to seven years after their last dose. (No evidence of cardiotoxicity was seen during active treatment.) Two of the three had a recurrence of heart problems after medical treatment for their cardiac condition, and one remained severely symptomatic despite optimal treatment. The authors recommend that people receiving mitoxantrone continue to be monitored for signs of cardiotoxicity well after completing treatment.