Cardio-toxicity of checkpoint inhibitors

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have started revolutionizing the treatment of numerous advanced oncological diseases by restoring immune resistance against cancer cells. ICI-associated cardiac adverse effects are rare, but severe. About 50% of cardiac complications comprise myocarditis with variable clinical presentation and a high rate of fatality. The pathomechanism is incompletely understood and may involve preexisting autoimmunity such as autoantibodies or common epitopes shared by cardiomyocytes and tumor cells. Especially patients at risk might be followed up by serial troponin measurements in order to allow an early identification of ICI-associated myocarditis. Therapeutic options are limited and consist of early discontinuation of ICI treatment and initiation of an immunosuppression. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism, define diagnostic criteria, improve surveillance of patients at risk, and finally refine therapy.