Perspective Article

Anti-cancer immunotherapy-related cardiotoxicity: preventable and treatable

¹ City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
² University of Chicago, 5801 South Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA

^* Corresponding author: yxing@coh.org

Received: 26 September 2024
Accepted: 5 January 2025

Abstract

Anti-cancer immunotherapies, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors, have significantly advanced oncology treatments but are associated with rare, potentially severe cardiotoxicities. Despite their success, these therapies are associated with immune-related adverse events including rare but severe immunotherapy-related cardiotoxicities. This review examines various immunotherapy types, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive T-cell therapies, and cancer vaccines, highlighting their cardiovascular risks. Cardiotoxicities can lead to life-threatening complications, especially in high-risk patients. Early detection and prevention are crucial, with comprehensive cardiovascular assessments and routine biomarker monitoring playing a central role. With immunotherapies becoming more prevalent, this review calls for stronger evidence-based guidelines to manage and prevent these cardiovascular complications, ensuring that patients can benefit from life-saving immunotherapies without jeopardizing cardiovascular health.