https://doi.org/10.4081/btvb.2024.113
New drugs, old problems: immune checkpoint inhibitors and cancer-associated thrombosis
Submitted: 15 January 2024
Accepted: 29 February 2024
Published: 16 May 2024
Accepted: 29 February 2024
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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Authors
A frequent side effect of cancer treatment is venous thromboembolism (VTE), which is made more likely by systemic anticancer medication. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as a paradigm-shifting treatment for many cancers. Early trials investigating the efficacy of ICIs did not identify thrombosis as a significant adverse event of concern. An initial meta-analysis reported a 1.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5-2.1] risk of arterial thromboembolism (ATE) and a 2.7% (95% CI 1.8-4.0) rate of vein thrombosis. ICIs have, however, been linked to ATE and VTE in an increasing number of post-marketing investigations. The reported incidence rates of cumulative VTE range from 5-8% at 6 months to 10-12% at 12 months, while the rates of ATE vary from 1-2% at 6 months to 17 months. Furthermore, a number of studies show a correlation between reduced survival and ICI-related thromboembolism. In order to provide a compiled and thorough narrative on the mechanisms, incidence, risk factors, and survival related to ICI-associated VTE and ATE, this narrative review summarizes the literature.
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Supporting Agencies
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Sondra and Stephen Hardis Chair in Oncology ResearchHow to Cite
Patel, M. H., & Khorana, A. A. (2024). New drugs, old problems: immune checkpoint inhibitors and cancer-associated thrombosis. Bleeding, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 3(s1). https://doi.org/10.4081/btvb.2024.113
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