Cardiotoxicity from immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Area of Science:

• Cardio-oncology
• Immunology
• Oncology

Background:

• Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) enhance anti-tumor immunity but are linked to immune-related adverse events.
• Cardiotoxicity is a rare but serious side effect of ICI therapy, impacting myocardial homeostasis.
• Understanding ICI-related cardiac toxicity is crucial due to high mortality rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on cardiac toxicity associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
• To summarize the incidence, presentation, treatment, and pathomechanisms of ICI-related cardiotoxicity.
• To outline recommendations for monitoring, diagnosis, and management in cardio-oncology.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on immune checkpoint inhibitor-related cardiotoxicity.
• Synthesis of data on epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and risk factors.
• Critical summary of therapeutic strategies and knowledge gaps.

Main Results:

• ICI therapy can lead to various forms of cardiotoxicity with significant mortality.
• Clinical presentations, underlying pathomechanisms, and risk factors are discussed.
• Current monitoring, diagnostic, and therapeutic recommendations are provided.

Conclusions:

• ICI-related cardiotoxicity, though rare, requires vigilant monitoring and timely intervention.
• Further research into pathomechanisms and clinical characteristics is needed for improved patient outcomes.
• Optimizing cardio-oncology care is essential for patients undergoing ICI therapy.