Mitoxantrone Mitoxantrone (Novantrone)is an anthracenedione anthracenedione antineoplastic agent that was shown in a phase 3, randomized,placebo-controlled, multicenter trial to reduce the number of treated relapses by 67% and slow progression on EDSS,ambulation index,and MRI measures of disease activity. It is therefore recommended for worsening forms of MS. Acute side effects of mitoxantrone include nausea and alopecia. The lifetime use of thisdrug is limited to 2to 3 years(or acumulative dose of 120 to 140 mg/m2)because of itscumulative cardiotoxicity.Since a more rapid cardiotoxicitymcan occur, a new black box warning was added recommending patients to have their baseline left ventricular ejection fraction fraction checked prior to the start of therapy and retested before each subsequent dose.There is also increasing awareness and
concernabout treatment-related leukemias with this drug. More cases have been identified over the last year suggesting that the risk is higher than once suspected. Mitoxantrone is a chemotherapeutic agent that should be prescribed and administered only by experienced physicians