Dexrazoxane (DRZ)

Dexrazoxane hydrochloride is a cardioprotective agent. Dexrazoxane is a sterile, pyrogen-free lyophilizate intended for intravenous administration. Dexrazoxane has been used to protect the heart against the cardiotoxic side effects of anthracyclines, such as daunorubicin or doxorubicinThis was based on a decision made by the European Medicines Agency to also withdraw the drug based on two main clinical trials that showed a possibly higher rate of secondary malignancies and acute myelogenous leukemia in pediatric patients treated for different cancers with both DRZ and other chemotherapeutic agents that are associated with secondary malignancies. As a derivative of EDTA, dexrazoxane chelates iron and thus reduces the number of metal ions complexed with anthracycline and, consequently, decrease the formation of superoxide radicals.