Key Discovery in Chemotherapy-Induced Cardiomyopathy

1. Key Discovery in
Chemotherapy-Induced
Cardiomyopathy
Sherif Mohamed El-Refai

2. Key Discovery
in
Chemotherapy
-Induced
Cardiomyopat
hy
 As a pharmacist in Jersey City, Dr. Sherif Mohamed El-Refai
pursues a particular professional interest in the treatment of
cancer.A writer and presenter on the topic, Dr. Sherif Mohamed
El-Refai hopes to become a leading authority in chemotherapy
and its use in complex cases.

3. Key Discovery
in
Chemotherapy
-Induced
Cardiomyopat
hy
 In early December of 2014, researchers at MassachusettsGeneral
Hospital announced the discovery of two compounds that seem to
reduce the damage that chemotherapy causes to the heart
muscle.Traditionally, the drug doxorubicin has harmed cardiac
cells to a level that causes cardiomyopathy and limits the amount
of the drug that doctors can safely prescribe to a patient.
Researchers have found, however, that inhibiting the MDH2
enzyme may reduce the level of cardiotoxicity that a patient
experiences.

4. Key Discovery
in
Chemotherapy
-Induced
Cardiomyopat
hy
 Researchers first tested the effectiveness of MDH2 inhibitors on
zebra fish embryos.This testing stage identified the two most
effective chemicals, which continued to prove effective in tests on
live zebra fish and laboratory rodents.The researchers further
discovered that neither compound reduced the effectiveness of
doxorubicin in treating tumors in laboratory tests. As testing
continues, scientists are also investigating the potential of MDH2
inhibition in protecting cardiac muscle from the damaging effects
of other chemotherapy drugs.