A recent meta-analysis investigating cardiovascular complications in adults undergoing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for advanced hematologic cancers has revealed reassuring findings. Analysing data from 13 studies involving 1,528 patients, the research found a low overall prevalence of serious cardiovascular events, such as ventricular arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular death.
The study, which reviewed patient outcomes over a median follow-up of approximately 16 months, reported a 0.66% incidence of ventricular arrhythmia and a 0.62% incidence of myocardial infarction. Cardiovascular death occurred in just 0.63% of patients. However, more common cardiovascular issues included left ventricular dysfunction (8.68%) and supraventricular arrhythmia (7.79%).
These findings suggest that while CAR T-cell therapy is generally associated with a low risk of severe cardiovascular events, certain complications, such as declines in heart function and arrhythmias, occur more frequently. Researchers emphasized the importance of cardiovascular monitoring in CAR T-cell recipients, particularly focusing on heart failure symptoms and supraventricular arrhythmias, which may require early intervention.
The study’s authors note that further research is needed to clarify long-term cardiovascular risks, especially in populations with higher baseline cardiovascular risk, who were often excluded from clinical trials. Overall, the data offer valuable insights for clinicians managing CAR T-cell recipients, underscoring the need for vigilant cardiovascular surveillance.
Reference
Koeckerling D et al. Cardiovascular Events After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy for Advanced Hematologic Malignant Neoplasms A Meta-Analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(10):e2437222.
