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Immune-cell signatures distinguish immunotherapy-associated heart inflammation

A peer-reviewed study identified immune-cell features associated with heart-muscle inflammation during cancer immunotherapy. Human blood comparisons informed an experimental eight-protein diagnostic panel, while cell and mouse experiments examined communication between T cells and monocytes. Blocking two signaling pathways reduced cardiac injury in mice. The candidate panel needs broader validation, and the experiments establish no treatment benefit in people.

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Blood samples distinguish active inflammation

A peer-reviewed study of myocarditis associated with cancer immunotherapy identified immune-cell signatures and experimental diagnostic and intervention pathways. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle; here it accompanies treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors, medicines that release restraints on immune activity against cancer.[1], [2]

Researchers compared people with active myocarditis, people in remission and patients receiving the same treatment without that complication. Blood was collected before corticosteroid treatment. Cells bearing the ISG15 protein marker were more prominent during active illness, alongside inflammatory features in monocytes, another immune-cell group.[1]

An eight-protein panel undergoes experimental evaluation

Single-cell RNA measurements, cell sorting and protein analyses helped construct a candidate eight-protein diagnostic panel. Evaluation used a separate cohort. Samples from all participants could not support every assay because material requirements differed. The panel needs comparisons with other heart diseases and immune-treatment adverse effects before its specificity is established for clinical use.[1]

Pathway interventions reduce injury in mice

Cell experiments linked the relevant T cells to damage in heart-muscle cells. Blocking CCL2–CCR2, a communication pathway between T cells and monocytes, reduced cardiac injury in mice. Inhibiting the JAK–STAT intracellular signaling pathway also improved measures of heart function and inflammation. Tumour control was preserved within those experiments. Human blood associations and animal interventions supply different kinds of evidence; safety and treatment benefit in patients remain unestablished.[1]

References

  1. News sourceNature CommunicationsImmune signatures identified in cancer-immunotherapy myocarditis↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceScienmagImmune signatures emerge in checkpoint-inhibitor myocarditis↩
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