A New Era: Immunotherapy Applied to Contemporary Cardiovascular Practice

A novel era has arisen in cardiology. The emerging field of cardioimmunology helps to elucidate the role of the immune system in cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this review, we will discuss the basic principles of immunity and current and future applications of immunotherapy across diverse spheres of CVD. Finally, we will discuss the spectrum of immunotherapy-related CVD toxicities and their management. Even though CVD and immunology seem worlds apart, immunity plays key roles in various responses to cardiovascular injury. Manipulating immune responses with techniques such as chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T cell), immunomodulators, and targeted antibodies have led to breakthroughs in oncology. The same concepts might be applied in cardiology to alter immune responses in various areas of CVD. Drugs such as colchicine, an immunomodulator, and monoclonal antibodies, such as proprotein convertase subtilisin/ kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i), are already part of our daily cardiology practice. An in-depth understanding of current and upcoming immunotherapy applications in cardiology will facilitate the delivery of effective and safe CV therapies.