What chemotherapy agent is commonly known to cause myocarditis?

Doxorubicin is a chemotherapy agent that is well-documented to cause myocarditis as a potential side effect. It is an anthracycline drug that has a well-established profile for causing cardiotoxicity related to its effects on cardiac myocytes. This cardiotoxicity can manifest as acute or chronic heart failure, and in some instances, can present as myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart muscle.

The mechanism generally involves the production of free radicals and oxidative stress that injure cardiomyocytes, leading to inflammation. Monitoring of cardiac function, including the use of echocardiograms and cardiac biomarkers, is particularly important when treating patients with doxorubicin to mitigate the risk of such complications. The concern for early detection and management of cardiac side effects is essential in patients receiving this agent.

Other chemotherapy drugs listed, while they may have their own respective toxicities, are not primarily associated with myocarditis in the same way doxorubicin is recognized for its cardiotoxic effects. For instance, cyclophosphamide can cause cardiotoxicity but is more commonly associated with different types of cardiac effects. Cisplatin and paclitaxel, while they have their own side effects, do not have myocarditis as a