Cardiovascular risk factor reporting in immune checkpoint inhibitor trials: A systematic review

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the treatment of numerous cancers but are associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction. The prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in patients treated with ICIs is unknown. This study sought to describe the frequency of reporting of CVRFs among landmark ICI trials.

A systematic review of all phase 2 or 3 cancer trials employing ICIs that led to United States Food and Drug Administration approval was conducted.

Of the 69 identified trials, only one study reported baseline rates of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. Smoking history was reported in 27 studies (39 %) and three (4 %) reported body mass index. No study reported history of previous cardiovascular disease, although 17 (25 %), six (9 %), and 21 (30 %) studies excluded patients with recent myocardial infarction, revascularization and heart failure respectively. Similarly low rates of cardiovascular risk factor reporting were observed in studies employing concurrent vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors and recruiting (neo)adjuvant cohorts.

The prevalence of CVRFs is poorly described in ICI trials despite increasingly reported risks of myocardial infarction. A systematic approach to collecting and reporting CVRFs should be considered in future trials and real world populations.