Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) Nursing Practice Test

Which class of drugs is known to cause cardiomyopathy?

1. Taxanes

2. Platinum compounds

3. Anthracyclines

4. Alkylating agents

The correct answer is: Anthracyclines

The class of drugs known to cause cardiomyopathy is anthracyclines. This group, which includes medications such as doxorubicin and daunorubicin, is widely used in oncology for the treatment of various types of cancers due to its effectiveness in inhibiting DNA synthesis and function. However, one of the significant long-term side effects of anthracyclines is their potential to cause cardiotoxicity, leading to cardiomyopathy. The mechanism behind this cardiotoxicity is linked to the formation of free radicals and the consequent oxidative stress that these agents induce in cardiac cells. This can lead to structural damage and functional impairment of the heart muscle, resulting in dilated cardiomyopathy in some patients. Monitoring cardiac function, particularly with echocardiograms or other imaging modalities, is crucial in patients receiving anthracyclines to detect early signs of heart damage and manage the risks associated with this treatment effectively.