Myocarditis Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: An Exploratory Review

Checkpoints are essential proteins in the immune system that regulate the intensity and duration of immune responses, preventing damage to healthy tissues during the fight against pathogens and abnormal cells. While these mechanisms are crucial in cancer defense, this disease can alter the functionality of these proteins. This is why checkpoint inhibitors have emerged as an important class of drugs to potentiate the antitumor immune response. However, it has been observed that these drugs can trigger adverse effects, among which myocarditis is one of the most prevalent. This article explores the signaling pathways associated with checkpoint inhibitors, their adverse effects, and their impact on the development of myocarditis, as well as potential therapeutic strategies.