Mechanisms and clinical manifestations of cardiovascular toxicities associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

2021 ◽  
Vol 135 (5) ◽  
pp. 703-724
Author(s):  
Alan H. Baik ◽  
Katy K. Tsai ◽  
David Y. Oh ◽  
Mandar A. Aras

Abstract Immunotherapies have greatly expanded the armamentarium of cancer-directed therapies in the past decade, allowing the immune system to recognize and fight cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), in particular, have revolutionized cancer treatment and have demonstrated survival benefit in numerous types of cancer. These monoclonal antibodies increase anti-cancer immunity by blocking down-regulators of adaptive immunity, including cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), and its ligand (PD-L1), resulting in anti-tumor activity. As ICIs increase immune system activation, they can cause a wide range of inflammatory side effects, termed immune-released adverse events. Though these toxicities can affect nearly any organ, the most fatal toxicity is myocarditis. Here, we discuss the diverse spectrum of cardiovascular toxicities associated with ICI use. In addition, we provide insight and future directions on mechanisms and treatments for immune-related adverse events (irAEs) involving the myocardium, pericardium, vasculature, and conduction system.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Zhan ◽  
Hong-fang Feng ◽  
Han-qing Liu ◽  
Lian-tao Guo ◽  
Chuang Chen ◽  
...  

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a group of drugs employed in the treatment of various types of malignant tumors and improve the therapeutic effect. ICIs blocks negative co-stimulatory molecules, such as programmed cell death gene-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), reactivating the recognition and killing effect of the immune system on tumors. However, the reactivation of the immune system can also lead to the death of normal organs, tissues, and cells, eventually leading to immune-related adverse events (IRAEs). IRAEs involve various organs and tissues and also cause thyroid dysfunction. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, possible pathogenesis, and management of ICIs-related thyroid dysfunction.


Author(s):  
Barbara Barnes Rogers, CRNP, MN, AOCN, ANP-BC ◽  
Carolyn Zawislak, MPAS, PA-C ◽  
Victoria Wong, PA-C

Immune checkpoint inhibitors target suppressor receptors, including cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1). The activated T cells are not antigen specific; therefore, the blockade of the immune checkpoint may result in the development of autoimmune adverse events. The most common immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are rash, colitis, and endocrinopathies. However, irAEs that affect the hematologic system are rare and can affect red blood cells (e.g., autoimmune hemolytic anemia), white blood cells, and platelets (e.g., immune thrombocytopenia). Usually one cell line is affected; however, in some cases, multiple cell lines can be affected. Other changes in the hematologic system can also be affected (e.g., cryoglobulinemia, cytokine release syndrome). Due to the rarity and lack of recognition of these AEs, the timing, spectrum of events, and clinical presentation are poorly understood. Management of hematologic irAEs usually involves the use of steroids; however, other agents (e.g., IVIG, cyclosporine, rituximab) or procedures (e.g., plasma exchange, transfusions) can also be used.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 995-999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffi Thomas ◽  
Chay Bae ◽  
Tabanor Joy-Ann ◽  
William Traverse

Introduction The landscape for the treatment of metastatic melanoma has been revolutionized with the introduction immune checkpoint inhibitors. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have now become the standard of care for the treatment of cancers. These immune agents including programmed death receptor-1 inhibitors, programmed death-ligand 1 inhibitors and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 inhibitors have shown promising results but have been associated with numerous immune-related complications. Pembrolizumab, a programmed death receptor-1 inhibitor, has been associated with a number of immune-related adverse events affecting multiple organ systems including integument, ocular, endocrine, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal system. Case report We present a case of an 88-year-old Caucasian male with metastatic melanoma of the face with metastasis to the right fifth cranial nerve and into the right cavernous sinus. He underwent resection of the melanoma and was placed on pembrolizumab at 2 mg/kg every three weeks. Interestingly, 24 months on pembrolizumab therapy, he developed corneal erosions, oral and genital ulcerations. Management and outcome Patient completed his 24 months of pembrolizumab and was started on prednisone and colchicine with improvement in his symptoms. At his follow-up eight months, he had recurrence of an oral ulcer. Discussion Here we present a rare case of an elderly male on pembrolizumab who suffered from corneal erosions, oral and genital ulcers, a syndrome similar to Behcet’s disease. Given that pembrolizumab and other immune checkpoint inhibitors are being utilized in the treatment of cancers, physicians should be aware of the wide range immune-related adverse events including the possible Behcet’s-like syndrome presentation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (154) ◽  
pp. 190012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myriam Delaunay ◽  
Grégoire Prévot ◽  
Samia Collot ◽  
Laurent Guilleminault ◽  
Alain Didier ◽  
...  

Immunotherapy has become a standard of care in oncology, following the recent approvals of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 and programmed cell death-1 inhibitors in lung cancer, melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, bladder, head and neck cancers. Besides their efficacy, these agents also generate specific immune-related adverse events. Due to the increasing prescription of immune-checkpoint inhibitors, the incidence of immune toxicity will continue to rise. The awareness of immune-related adverse events is key to ensuring both diagnosis and management of the possible serious adverse events. Although severe immune-related adverse events remain rare, they can lead to discontinued treatment or to death if they are not forecasted and managed properly. Even if lung toxicity is not the most frequent adverse event, it remains critical as it can be life-threatening. Herein, the main aspects of pulmonary toxicity are reviewed and guidelines are also proposed in order to manage the possible side-effects.


Author(s):  
Vasiliki Epameinondas Georgakopoulou ◽  
Nikolaos Garmpis ◽  
Dimitrios Mermigkis ◽  
Christos Damaskos ◽  
Serafeim Chlapoutakis ◽  
...  

Cancer immunotherapy aims to stimulate the immune system to fight against tumors, utilizing the presentation of molecules on the surface of the malignant cells that can be recognized by the antibodies of the immune system. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, a type of cancer immunotherapy, are broadly used in different types of cancer, improving patients’ survival and quality of life. However, treatment with these agents causes immune-related toxicities affecting many organs. The most frequent pulmonary adverse event is pneumonitis representing a non-infective inflammation localized to the interstitium and alveoli. Other lung toxicities include airway disease, pulmonary vasculitis, sarcoid-like reactions, infections, pleural effusions, pulmonary nodules, diaphragm myositis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. This review aims to summarize these pulmonary adverse events, underlining the significance of an optimal expeditious diagnosis and management.   


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenxin Chen ◽  
Ting Chen ◽  
Jizhou Liang ◽  
Xiaojing Guo ◽  
Jinfang Xu ◽  
...  

This study was to scientifically and systematically explore the association between cardiotoxicity and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and also to characterize the spectrum of ICI-related cardiac complications. From the first quarter of 2014 to the fourth quarter of 2019, data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database were selected to conduct the disproportionality analysis. Reporting odds ratios and information components were used to evaluate the signal after statistical shrinkage transformation. In total, 7,443,137 cases and 36,326,611 drug-adverse event pairs were collected, among which 9,271 cases were identified to be related to ICI-induced cardiotoxicities. The number of male patients was much higher than that of females (5,579 vs. 3,031) and males presented a slightly higher reporting frequency than females in general, which was statistically significant (ROR = 1.04, 95%CI: 0.99–1.09, p < 0.001). Simultaneously, the proportion of serious or life-threatening outcomes in males was significantly higher than in females (ROR = 1.05, 95%CI: 0.96–1.15, p < 0.001). Importantly, ICIs were associated with over-reporting frequencies of cardiotoxicities in general (ROR025 = 1.06, IC025 = 0.08). PD-1 and PD-L1 were found to be related to cardiac adverse events, corresponding to ROR025 = 1.06, IC025 = 0.08, and ROR025 = 1.06, IC025 = 0.08, respectively, while anti-CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4) was significantly associated with some specific adverse events rather than common adverse events. The spectrum of cardiotoxicities induced by ICIs mostly differed among individual agents, but also demonstrated some common features. Dyspnea (N = 2,527, 21.25%), myocarditis (N = 614, 5.16%), atrial fibrillation (N = 576, 4.84%), cardiac failure (N = 476, 4.00%), and pericardial effusion (N = 423, 3.56%) were the top five cardiac adverse events reported in the database. Among them, myocarditis was the only one caused by all ICIs with strong signal value and high risk, warranting further attention. Overall, this investigation mainly showed the profile of cardiotoxicities caused by ICIs, which varied between different ICI therapies, but also shared some similarities in specific symptoms such as myocarditis. Therefore, it is vital and urgent to recognize and manage ICI-related cardiotoxicities, known to frequently occur in clinical practice, at the earliest point.


2017 ◽  
Vol 103 (5) ◽  
pp. 405-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Inno ◽  
Giulio Metro ◽  
Paolo Bironzo ◽  
Antonio M. Grimaldi ◽  
Elisabetta Grego ◽  
...  

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have emerged as an effective treatment for several tumor types and their use in clinical practice is expected to further increase in the immediate future. Although these agents are well tolerated, they are associated with a peculiar spectrum of toxicity, which is immune mediated and may potentially affect every organ. However, immune-related adverse events are mostly reversible if promptly diagnosed and adequately treated. Therefore, it is crucial that medical oncologists know how to diagnose and treat immune-related adverse events. This review focuses on the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and management of immune-related toxicity of anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies.


Author(s):  
Xiao-Hui Jia ◽  
Lu-Ying Geng ◽  
Pan-Pan Jiang ◽  
Hong Xu ◽  
Ke-Jun Nan ◽  
...  

AbstractThe enthusiasm for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), an efficient tumor treatment model different from traditional treatment, is based on their unprecedented antitumor effect, but the occurrence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) is an obstacle to the prospect of ICI treatment. IrAEs are a discrete toxicity caused by the nonspecific activation of the immune system and can affect almost all tissues and organs. Currently, research on biomarkers mainly focuses on the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system, skin and lung. Several potential hypotheses concentrate on the overactivation of the immune system, excessive release of inflammatory cytokines, elevated levels of pre-existing autoantibodies, and presence of common antigens between tumors and normal tissues. This review lists the current biomarkers that might predict irAEs and their possible mechanisms for both nonspecific and organ-specific biomarkers. However, the prediction of irAEs remains a major clinical challenge to screen and identify patients who are susceptible to irAEs and likely to benefit from ICIs.


Hématologie ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-193
Author(s):  
Ashley Tieu ◽  
Jean-Marie Michot ◽  
Stéphane Champiat ◽  
Julien Lazarovici ◽  
François-Xavier Danlos ◽  
...  

Immunotherapy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 481-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria V Deligiorgi ◽  
Mihalis I Panayiotidis ◽  
Dimitrios T Trafalis

Designated as scientific breakthrough of current decade, immune checkpoint inhibitors attenuate the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathways, depriving cancer cells of a key strategy of evasion from immunosurveillance. The reinvigoration of immune response translates into clinical success, inevitably entwined with a novel constellation of immune-related adverse events. The present review dissects the endocrine immune-related adverse events, emphasizing their unique profile featured by unpredictable onset, irreversibility, nonspecific symptoms, wide clinical spectrum and sophisticated diagnostic work-up. Guidelines advocate individualized decision-making process guided by clinicians' judgement. Future perspective should be governed by five principles – prevention, anticipation, detection, treatment, monitoring – aiming to gain the optimal profit diminishing immunotoxicity.


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