Question:

Use of which one of the following may cause cardiomyopathy?

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One of these drugs belongs to a class famous for cumulative-dose heart muscle damage.
Updated On: Jul 16, 2026
  • Adriamycin
  • Carboplatin
  • Dactinomycin
  • Etoposide
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks which of these four chemotherapy drugs is known to cause cardiomyopathy as a characteristic adverse effect.

Step 2: Key Concept or Approach:
Adriamycin (doxorubicin) belongs to the anthracycline class of anticancer drugs. Anthracyclines generate free radicals and damage cardiac myocytes, producing a dose-dependent, often irreversible dilated cardiomyopathy. Because of this, patients on doxorubicin have their cumulative dose tracked and their left ventricular ejection fraction monitored during treatment.

Step 3: Working Through the Options:
Adriamycin is correct because anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is one of the best-known drug-organ toxicities in oncology. Carboplatin is a platinum agent whose dose-limiting toxicities are myelosuppression and nephrotoxicity, not the heart. Dactinomycin, an actinomycin antibiotic, mainly causes myelosuppression and mucositis. Etoposide, a topoisomerase II inhibitor, causes myelosuppression and hypotension if infused too fast, but not a cardiomyopathy pattern.

Step 4: Conclusion:
The correct answer is Adriamycin.
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