Key result
Immune checkpoint inhibitors linked to ~7-fold faster annual non-calcified plaque progression vs controls.
Why the study?
Patients with lung cancer face increased cardiovascular risk, but clinical evidence examining the impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors on atherosclerosis progression is lacking.
Does immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy accelerate atherosclerosis progression in patients with lung cancer?
Case-Control (n=60)
Does immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy accelerate atherosclerosis progression in patients with lung cancer?
Absolute Event Rate: 11.2% vs 1.6%
p-value: p=0.001
Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in lung cancer patients is associated with accelerated progression of non-calcified aortic plaque, highlighting a potential mechanism for increased cardiovascular risk.
May elevate CV risk in lung cancer patients on ICIs; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective validation.
BACKGROUND: Patients with lung cancer face a heightened risk of atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular events. Despite the strong scientific rationale, there is currently a lack of clinical evidence examining the impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) on the advancement of atherosclerosis in patients with lung cancer. The objective of our study was to investigate whether there is a correlation between ICIs and the accelerated progression of atherosclerosis among individuals with lung cancer. METHODS: In this case-control (2:1 matched by age and gender) study, total, non-calcified, and calcified plaque volumes were measured in the thoracic aorta using sequential contrast-enhanced chest CT scans. Univariate and multivariate rank-based estimation regression models were developed to estimate the effect of ICI therapy on plaque progression in 40 cases (ICI) and 20 controls (non-ICI). RESULTS: The patients had a median age of 66 years (IQR: 58-69), with 50% of them being women. At baseline, there were no significant differences in plaque volumes between the groups, and their cardiovascular risk profiles were similar. However, the annual progression rate for non-calcified plaque volume was 7 times higher in the ICI group compared with the controls (11.2% vs 1.6% per year, p=0.001). Conversely, the controls showed a greater progression in calcified plaque volume compared with the ICI group (25% vs 2% per year, p=0.017). In a multivariate model that considered cardiovascular risk factors, the use of an ICI was associated with a more substantial progression of non-calcified plaque volume. Additionally, individuals treated with combination ICI therapy exhibited greater plaque progression. CONCLUSIONS: ICI therapy was associated with more non-calcified plaque progression. These findings underscore the importance of conducting studies aimed at identifying the underlying mechanisms responsible for plaque advancement in patients undergoing ICI treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04430712.
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Drobni et al. (2023) conducted a case-control in Lung cancer (n=60). Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) vs. Non-ICI was evaluated on Annual progression rate for non-calcified plaque volume (p=0.001). Immune checkpoint inhibitors in lung cancer patients were associated with a higher annual progression rate of non-calcified plaque volume compared to controls (11.2% vs 1.6%; p=0.001).