Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced cardiotoxicity in patients with lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for the treatment of lung cancer may precipitate cardiotoxic events.

We aimed to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the cardiotoxicity associated with ICIs in patients with lung cancer.

Methods A literature search was conducted across four electronic databases (Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, OVID EMBASE and Google Scholar) from inception through 31st May 2023.

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the impact of ICIs on cardiac outcomes in lung cancer patients were considered for inclusion.

Risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled and analysis was performed using a random-effects model.

The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was followed to assess confidence in the estimates of effect (i.e., the quality of evidence).

Results A total of 30 studies including 16,331 patients, were included in the analysis.

Pooled results showed that single ICI (RR: 2.15; 95% CI: 1.13–4.12; p  = 0.02; I2 = 0%) or a combination of single ICI plus chemotherapy (RR: 1.38 [1.05–1.82]; p  = 0.02) significantly increased the risk of cardiac adverse events when compared with chemotherapy alone.

No significant difference was noted when a dual ICI (RR: 0.48 [0.13–1.80]; p  = 0.27) was compared with single ICI.

In addition, there was no significant association between the use of ICIs and incidence of cardiac failure (RR: 1.11 [0.48–2.58]; p  = 0.80), or arrhythmia (RR: 1.87; [0.69–5.08]; p  = 0.22).

Conclusion Compared with chemotherapy alone, use of a single ICI or a combination of single ICI plus chemotherapy significantly increased the risk of cardiotoxicity.

However, employing dual immunotherapy did not result in a significant increase in the risk of cardiotoxicity when compared to the use of a single ICI.