A recent decade update on combating doxorubicin-induced toxicities

Abstract

The gradual rise in global cancer rates every year instills the need for a reliable therapeutic strategy. Chemotherapy alone or in combination with surgery, radiation, or adjuvant therapy is still the preferred treatment option for a wide range of cancers. Doxorubicin (dox) is an extensively used chemotherapeutic anthracycline for combating a broad range of solid and soft-tissue tumors. However, dox therapy is often associated with undesirable side effects, mainly cardiotoxicity, limiting its clinical application. Over the years, many strategies have been developed to overcome these toxicities and improve the drug’s therapeutic potential. This review is focused on discussing the recent investigations into natural compounds, nanoformulations, miRNAs, and physical exercise in protecting against dox-mediated cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and neurotoxicity.