Interleukin-1 blocking agents as promising strategy for prevention of anticancer drug-induced cardiotoxicities: possible implications in cancer patients with COVID-19

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2021 Nov;25(21):6797-6812. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202111_27124.

Abstract

Cytokines in cardiac tissue plays a key role in progression of cardiometabolic diseases and cardiotoxicity induced by several anticancer drugs. Interleukin-1β is one on the most studied regulator of cancer progression, survival and resistance to anticancer treatments. Recent findings indicate that interleukin1-β exacerbates myocardial damages in cancer patients treated with chemotherapies and immune check-point inhibitors. Interleukin1-β blocking agent canakinumab reduces major adverse cardiovascular events and cardiovascular death in recent cardiovascular trials. We focalized on the main biological functions of interleukin1-β in cancer and cardiovascular diseases, summarizing the main clinical evidence available to date in literature. Especially in the era of SARS-CoV-2 infection, associated to coagulopathies, myocarditis and heart failure, cancer patients have an increased risk of cardiovascular complications compared to general population, therefore, the pharmacological inhibition of interleukin1-β should be discussed and considered.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anthracyclines / adverse effects
  • Anthracyclines / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • Cardiotoxicity / etiology
  • Cardiotoxicity / prevention & control*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-1beta / immunology
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / complications
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Anthracyclines
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • canakinumab