Cardiovascular Immune-Related Adverse Effects from Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors used to Treat Cancer

Molecules on the surface of a type of immune cell called T cells help determine when an immune response is needed. Normally, these immune checkpoints keep T cells from attacking our own cells. Some cancer cells, however, have molecules on their surfaces that interact with the T cells’ inhibitory checkpoints as a way to prevent the immune system from killing the cancer cells.

Therapeutics like immune checkpoint inhibitors have been a promising approach for treating cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors bind immune checkpoints to counteract how cancer cells suppress T cells. But still, some patients don’t respond at all to immune checkpoint inhibitors and others experience immune-related adverse effects.

A recent review article, supported by the Global Autoimmune Institute, discusses how approved and upcoming immune checkpoint inhibitors work and the mechanisms behind cardiac immune-related adverse effects such as myocarditis and atherosclerosis. While immune checkpoint inhibitors have transformed cancer therapy, it’s important to monitor for adverse cardiac effects.

Citation:

Jo, W., Won, T., Daoud, A., & Čiháková, D. (2024). Immune checkpoint inhibitors associated cardiovascular immune-related adverse events. Frontiers in immunology, 15, 1340373. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1340373