The Heart of the Matter: Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Immune-Related Adverse Events on the Cardiovascular System

Abstract

Cancer remains a prominent global cause of mortality, second only to cardiovascular disease. The past decades have witnessed substantial advancements in anti-cancer therapies, resulting in improved outcomes. Among these advancements, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising breakthrough, leveraging the immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells. Despite the remarkable potential of immunotherapy, concerns have arisen regarding associations with adverse cardiovascular events. This review examines the complex interplay between immunotherapy and cardiovascular toxicity and provides an overview of immunotherapy mechanisms, clinical perspectives, and potential biomarkers for adverse events, while delving into the intricate immune responses and evasion mechanisms displayed by cancer cells. The focus extends to the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer therapy, including CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1 targeting antibodies. This review underscores the multifaceted challenges of managing immunotherapy-related cardiovascular toxicity. Risk factors for immune-related adverse events and major adverse cardiac events are explored, encompassing pharmacological, treatment-related, autoimmune, cardiovascular, tumor-related, social, genetic, and immune-related factors. The review also advocates for enhanced medical education and risk assessment tools to identify high-risk patients for preventive measures. Baseline cardiovascular evaluations, potential prophylactic strategies, and monitoring of emerging toxicity symptoms are discussed, along with the potential of adjunct anti-inflammatory therapies.