Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy Regulators of Immune Checkpoints and Effects on the Heart

Abstract Purpose of Review To inform readers about advances in cancer immunotherapy regulators of immune checkpoints and effects on the heart. Recent Findings In the last 3 years, five new immune checkpoint inhibitors have been approved for clinical use. Based on clinical trial results, these agents overall improve efficacy and expand cancer treatment to more patients with comparable rates of adverse cardiac events including myocarditis. Ongoing clinical trials are also evaluating other regulators of immune checkpoints, including bispecific antibodies, agonistic antibodies that activate antigen presenting cells, and activation of natural killer cells. Summary Immunotherapies targeting regulators of immune checkpoints continue to be at the forefront of cancer treatment. New antagonistic antibodies for PD-1 (retifanlimab, toripalimab), PDL-1 (cosibelimab), and CTLA-4 (tremelimumab), and LAG-3 (relatlimab) target immune checkpoints to enact stronger, more effective, and potentially safer treatment options, highlighting promising research advances in this field.