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Updated: May 22, 2026
04:48
Chemotherapy-induced Vascular Toxicity - Real-time In vivo Imaging of Vessel Impairment
Published on: January 7, 2015
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Associated Cardiovascular Toxicity: Mechanisms, Clinical Manifestations, and Clinical
Zhengyu Chen1, Meijie Zheng2, Yuxuan Li3
1School of Heilongjiang, University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China.
Cardiovascular Toxicology
|May 20, 2026
Summary
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) improve cancer treatment but can cause severe cardiovascular toxicities like myocarditis. Further research is needed to understand mechanisms and develop predictive biomarkers for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are novel anticancer agents targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 pathways.
- ICIs have improved outcomes in malignancies like melanoma and lung cancer.
- However, ICIs can cause immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including life-threatening cardiovascular toxicities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the incidence, mechanisms, and management of ICI-associated cardiovascular toxicities.
- To highlight challenges in diagnosis and prediction.
- To suggest future research directions for mitigating cardiotoxicity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of ICI-associated cardiovascular adverse events.
- Analysis of incidence, mortality, and risk factors for cardiotoxicity.
- Discussion of pathogenic mechanisms and current management strategies.
Main Results:
- Cardiovascular toxicities, though uncommon (3.1-5.8%), have high mortality rates.
- Myocarditis, pericarditis, and atherosclerosis are key toxicities.
- CTLA-4 inhibitors and combination therapies pose higher cardiotoxicity risks.
Conclusions:
- Understanding ICI cardiotoxicity mechanisms is crucial for patient safety.
- Developing predictive biomarkers and AI models is essential.
- Further research should focus on refining therapies and identifying new targets to minimize cardiovascular risks.
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