Novel use of Ketotifen as a cardio-protective agent in patients
undergoing anthracycline chemotherapy
Abstract
Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the possible
cardioprotective effects of ketotifen and to assess its activity as an
iron-chelating agent in patients receiving anthracyclines for the
treatment of breast cancer. Patients & Methods: This was a randomized,
prospective, controlled clinical trial. 111 eligible patients with
breast cancer (age range, 30-60 year) were scheduled to receive
anthracycline chemotherapy. The patients divided into two groups:
Patients (n=56) assigned to The ketotifen group received ketotifen 1 mg
three times daily for six consecutive cycles of treatment, and patients
assigned to The control group (n= 55) without ketotifen treatment. The
echocardiogram for each patient was recorded two times at baseline and
at the end of the study. As well, blood samples were collected from all
patients. Results: The findings showed a statistically significant
reduction in the mean serum levels of common cardiotoxicity accompanied
biomarkers in The ketotifen group compared with The control group (P ≤
0.05). The mean serum levels of total iron-binding capacity was
significantly elevated in The ketotifen group (P ≤ 0.001). There was a
direct correlation between the mean serum levels of iron and that of
lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (r = + 0.79). On the other hand, there were
indirect correlations between mean serum levels of LDH and both the
percentage of ejection fraction and the total iron-binding capacity (r =
- 0.69 and -0.697, respectively). Conclusion: Oral administration of
ketotifen appears to be efficient and safe as a novel cardioprotective
agent for the prevention of anthracyclines induced cardiotoxicity.
Additionally, ketotifen suggested a beneficial effect in iron overload
inducing diseases such as COVID-19.