How Cancer Immunotherapy Can Affect the Heart

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