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Immune checkpoint inhibitor–associated myocarditis: manifestations and mechanisms
Javid Moslehi, … , Lorenzo Galluzzi, Richard N. Kitsis
Javid Moslehi, … , Lorenzo Galluzzi, Richard N. Kitsis
Published March 1, 2021
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2021;131(5):e145186. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI145186.
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Review

Immune checkpoint inhibitor–associated myocarditis: manifestations and mechanisms

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Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the treatment of various cancers, including malignancies once considered untreatable. These agents, however, are associated with inflammation and tissue damage in multiple organs. Myocarditis has emerged as a serious ICI-associated toxicity, because, while seemingly infrequent, it is often fulminant and lethal. The underlying basis of ICI-associated myocarditis is not completely understood. While the importance of T cells is clear, the inciting antigens, why they are recognized, and the mechanisms leading to cardiac cell injury remain poorly characterized. These issues underscore the need for basic and clinical studies to define pathogenesis, identify predictive biomarkers, improve diagnostic strategies, and develop effective treatments. An improved understanding of ICI-associated myocarditis will provide insights into the equilibrium between the immune and cardiovascular systems.

Authors

Javid Moslehi, Andrew H. Lichtman, Arlene H. Sharpe, Lorenzo Galluzzi, Richard N. Kitsis

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Figure 2

Example of ICI-associated myocarditis.

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Example of ICI-associated myocarditis.
A 65-year-old woman with metastat...
A 65-year-old woman with metastatic melanoma treated with ipilimumab (3 mg/kg i.v.) and nivolumab (3 mg/kg i.v.) developed atypical chest pain, dyspnea, and fatigue 12 days later, accompanied by (A) ECG showing sinus rhythm with first-degree atrioventricular block, which progressed to complete heart block. (B) Several hours later, ECG showed ventricular tachycardia, which degenerated to ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest. The patient could not be resuscitated. (C) At autopsy, cardiac tissue stained with hematoxylin and eosin showed myocyte degeneration accompanied by a mononuclear cell infiltrate, immunostaining of which showed prominence of CD68, a macrophage marker (not shown). (D) Also seen was marked infiltration of T cells, as shown by immunostaining for CD3. This infiltrate included approximately equal proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (not shown). In addition, immunostaining for CD20, a B cell marker, and IgG was not detected (not shown). Scale bar: 0.1 mm. aVR, augmented vector right; aVL, augmented vector left; aVF, augmented vector foot. Reproduced with permission from the New England Journal of Medicine (13).

Copyright © 2025 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)

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