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

V. Quagliariello, A. Paccone, M. Iovine, E. Cavalcanti, M. Berretta, C. Maurea, M.L. Canale, N. Maurea

Division of Cardiology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori – IRCCS – Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy. n.maurea@istitutotumori.na.it

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• Infectious Diseases
• Oncology

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.

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