Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Medical Science) ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (5): 612-623.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2026.05.007

• Clinical research • Previous Articles    

Safety outcomes of immunotherapy continuation versus permanent discontinuation after immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis in patients with lung cancer

Liu Zhitong, Fan Zixu, Li Xiang, Zhang Min()   

  1. Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
  • Received:2025-11-24 Accepted:2026-01-19 Online:2026-05-28 Published:2026-05-28
  • Contact: Zhang Min E-mail:zhangminxk@126.com
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(82172156);Medical-Engineering Cross Research of Shanghai Jiao Tong University(YG2022ZD023)

Abstract:

Objective ·To compare the safety outcomes between immunotherapy continuation and permanent immunotherapy discontinuation in patients with lung cancer who developed immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis (ICI-M). Methods ·This single-center retrospective cohort study enrolled 357 lung cancer patients who were diagnosed with ICI-M between June 2016 and August 2024 in Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Based on post-ICI-M immunotherapy strategies, patients were categorized into a permanent discontinuation group (n=131) and a continuation group (n=226). The continuation group comprised patients who never interrupted immunotherapy and those who temporarily discontinued but later resumed ICI treatment. The ICI-M recurrence rate and the incidence of other new-onset immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were reported. The severity of initial and recurrent ICI-M was compared, and risk factors for ICI-M recurrence or new-onset irAEs were explored. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the impact of immunotherapy continuation on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Propensity score matching was performed as a sensitivity analysis to enhance the robustness of the study findings. Results ·The ICI-M recurrence rate was 8.8% (20/226). The clinical severity and peak levels of myocardial injury biomarkers were not higher in recurrent ICI-M than in initial ICI-M. A total of 13.3% (30/226) of patients developed other new-onset irAEs. Patients who experienced ICI-M recurrence or new-onset irAEs had a significantly earlier onset of initial ICI-M (47.0 d vs 71.0 d, P=0.006) and a higher peak creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) level (4.8 ng/mL vs 2.8 ng/mL, P=0.019). Multivariable Cox regression analysis indicated that immunotherapy continuation did not significantly increase the risk of long-term MACE (HR=0.75, 95%CI 0.28‒1.98, P=0.556), and this result remained consistent across all subgroups (Pinteraction>0.05). Sensitivity analysis using propensity score matching confirmed the robustness of this result (after matching: HR=0.93, 95%CI 0.32‒2.70, P=0.894). Conclusion ·Continued immunotherapy after ICI-M in lung cancer patients shows an overall favorable safety profile, with a low ICI-M recurrence rate and no significant increase in MACE incidence. This study provides preliminary evidence to support clinical decision-making; however, large-scale prospective studies are still needed for further confirmation and validation.

Key words: immune checkpoint inhibitor, myocarditis, recurrence, major adverse cardiovascular event, safety

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